Yeast organism producing isobutanol at a high yield

US8017375B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Gevo, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Reid M. Renny Feldman · San Marino, US
• Uvini Gunawardena · Irvine, US
• Jun Urano · Irvine, US
• Peter Meinhold · Santa Monica, US
• Aristos Aristidou · Highlands Ranch, US
• Catherine Asleson Dundon · Englewood, US
• Christopher Smith · Woodstock, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 23, 2008
• Grant date: Sep 13, 2011
• Expiry date: Dec 17, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E50/10
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

There is disclosed a method of producing isobutanol. In an embodiment, the method includes providing a microorganism transformed with an isobutanol producing pathway containing at least one exogenous gene. The microorganism is selected to produce isobutanol from a carbon source at a yield of at least 10 percent theoretical. The method includes cultivating the microorganism in a culture medium containing a feedstock providing the carbon source, until isobutanol is produced. The method includes recovering the isobutanol. In one embodiment, the microorganism is a yeast with a Crabtree-negative phenotype. In another embodiment, the microorganism is a yeast microorganism with a Crabtree-positive phenotype. There is disclosed a microorganism for producing isobutanol. In an embodiment, the microorganism includes an isobutanol producing pathway containing at least one exogenous gene, and is selected to produce a recoverable quantity of isobutanol from a carbon source at a yield of at least 10 percent theoretical.