ijms-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

New Advances in Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology of Yeasts

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 482

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Rzeszów University, Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: metabolic engineering; thermotolerant yeasts; sugar metabolism; renewable substrate utilisation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The application of yeasts in biotechnology has developed significantly, with recent advancements in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology expanding their potential in various biotechnological processes. The development of cutting-edge techniques, including CRISPR-Cas9, alongside omics technologies and computational approaches, has enabled more precise control over metabolic pathways, facilitating the efficient production of bio-based chemicals, fuels, and pharmaceuticals.

Despite these advancements, challenges persist in optimizing yeast strains for industrial-scale applications and in understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive their performance. The primary goal of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research in yeast metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying engineered yeasts, their applications in diverse biotechnological processes, and the translation of these advancements from the laboratory to industrial settings.

This Special Issue counts for contributions that explore synthetic biology tools and their applications in yeast engineering, the development of novel yeast strains, and the optimization of bioprocesses. Topics of interest include biotechnological applications in bioproduction, medicine, and sustainable biotechnologies, as well as the role of computational models in improving strain development and industrial scalability.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the cutting-edge developments in yeast biotechnology and provide insights into overcoming the current challenges in the field, ultimately promoting the progress of yeast-based platforms for a wide range of biotechnological applications.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in SynBio.

Dr. Justyna Ruchała
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • yeast metabolic engineering
  • synthetic biology
  • CRISPR-Cas9
  • metabolic pathways
  • bio-based chemicals
  • bioprocess engineering
  • yeast strain optimization
  • industrial biotechnology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

32 pages, 1834 KiB  
Review
Regulation of Riboflavin Biosynthesis in Microorganisms and Construction of the Advanced Overproducers of This Vitamin
by Justyna Ruchala, Alicja Najdecka, Dominik Wojdyla, Wen Liu and Andriy Sibirny
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6243; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136243 - 28 Jun 2025
Viewed by 318
Abstract
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is an essential micronutrient required for all living organisms. It is naturally synthesized by plants and most microorganisms, including the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii, and the yeast Candida famata—all of which [...] Read more.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is an essential micronutrient required for all living organisms. It is naturally synthesized by plants and most microorganisms, including the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii, and the yeast Candida famata—all of which are known to be riboflavin overproducers. The choice of production organism in industrial applications depends on factors such as yield, ease of cultivation, and the availability of genetic tools. As a result, several microorganisms are commonly used, and their relative prominence can shift over time with advances in metabolic engineering and process optimization. This review presents a comparative analysis of riboflavin biosynthesis across prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, with a particular focus on regulatory mechanisms governing flavinogenesis. Special attention is given to recent advances in metabolic engineering strategies, including the application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in Bacillus subtilis and Ashbya gossypii. In yeast systems, significant improvements in riboflavin production have been achieved primarily through the manipulation of transcriptional regulators (e.g., SEF1, SFU1, TUP1) and metabolic genes. The role of other important genes (PRS3, ADE4, ZWF1, GND1, RFE1, VMA1, etc.) in riboflavin overproduction in C. famata is described. The review also explores the use of alternative, low-cost feedstocks—including lignocellulosic hydrolysates and dairy by-products—to support more sustainable and economically viable riboflavin production. Although considerable progress has been achieved in genetic optimization and bioprocess development, further work is required to fine-tune metabolic flux and maximize riboflavin synthesis, particularly under industrial conditions. This review highlights key opportunities for future research aimed at refining metabolic interventions and expanding the use of renewable substrates for environmentally sustainable riboflavin production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology of Yeasts)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop