Transforming non-conventional yeasts into key players in biotechnology: advances in synthetic biology applications

Non-conventional yeasts exhibit exceptional genetic and functional diversity, serving as a largely untapped repertoire for biotechnological applications. Beyond the conventional yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, non-conventional yeasts are naturally more multifaceted, possessing the ability to utilize...

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Main Authors: Soo Young Moon, Nan-Yeong An, Ju Young Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1600187/full
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author Soo Young Moon
Soo Young Moon
Nan-Yeong An
Ju Young Lee
Ju Young Lee
author_facet Soo Young Moon
Soo Young Moon
Nan-Yeong An
Ju Young Lee
Ju Young Lee
author_sort Soo Young Moon
collection DOAJ
description Non-conventional yeasts exhibit exceptional genetic and functional diversity, serving as a largely untapped repertoire for biotechnological applications. Beyond the conventional yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, non-conventional yeasts are naturally more multifaceted, possessing the ability to utilize renewable and low-cost carbon sources while exhibiting robust physiology under challenging conditions. However, their vast potential remains largely unexplored, encompassing both challenges and opportunities for biotechnological advancements. Over the past decade, technological advancements in synthetic biology have unlocked new opportunities to harness their potential and overcome inherent limitations, enabling the full exploitation of their advantages across a broad spectrum of applications. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the synthetic biology of non-conventional yeasts, focusing on the development of new genetic building blocks (e.g., promoters and terminators), genome editing tools, and metabolic pathway engineering. Through these technologies, non-conventional yeasts are poised to emerge as pivotal next-generation workhorses tailored for specific applications in sustainable biomanufacturing, accelerating the transition to a bio-based economy.
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spelling doaj-art-bcecaa90392948078aaf551ffbfbd8fa2025-08-20T02:56:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-05-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.16001871600187Transforming non-conventional yeasts into key players in biotechnology: advances in synthetic biology applicationsSoo Young Moon0Soo Young Moon1Nan-Yeong An2Ju Young Lee3Ju Young Lee4Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of KoreaDivision of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of KoreaGraduate School of Engineering Biology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of KoreaNon-conventional yeasts exhibit exceptional genetic and functional diversity, serving as a largely untapped repertoire for biotechnological applications. Beyond the conventional yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, non-conventional yeasts are naturally more multifaceted, possessing the ability to utilize renewable and low-cost carbon sources while exhibiting robust physiology under challenging conditions. However, their vast potential remains largely unexplored, encompassing both challenges and opportunities for biotechnological advancements. Over the past decade, technological advancements in synthetic biology have unlocked new opportunities to harness their potential and overcome inherent limitations, enabling the full exploitation of their advantages across a broad spectrum of applications. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the synthetic biology of non-conventional yeasts, focusing on the development of new genetic building blocks (e.g., promoters and terminators), genome editing tools, and metabolic pathway engineering. Through these technologies, non-conventional yeasts are poised to emerge as pivotal next-generation workhorses tailored for specific applications in sustainable biomanufacturing, accelerating the transition to a bio-based economy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1600187/fullnon-conventional yeastsynthetic biologygene editing toolmetabolic engineeringyeast biotechnology
spellingShingle Soo Young Moon
Soo Young Moon
Nan-Yeong An
Ju Young Lee
Ju Young Lee
Transforming non-conventional yeasts into key players in biotechnology: advances in synthetic biology applications
Frontiers in Microbiology
non-conventional yeast
synthetic biology
gene editing tool
metabolic engineering
yeast biotechnology
title Transforming non-conventional yeasts into key players in biotechnology: advances in synthetic biology applications
title_full Transforming non-conventional yeasts into key players in biotechnology: advances in synthetic biology applications
title_fullStr Transforming non-conventional yeasts into key players in biotechnology: advances in synthetic biology applications
title_full_unstemmed Transforming non-conventional yeasts into key players in biotechnology: advances in synthetic biology applications
title_short Transforming non-conventional yeasts into key players in biotechnology: advances in synthetic biology applications
title_sort transforming non conventional yeasts into key players in biotechnology advances in synthetic biology applications
topic non-conventional yeast
synthetic biology
gene editing tool
metabolic engineering
yeast biotechnology
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1600187/full
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