Revolutionary yeast mutations speed up bioethanol production from mixed sugars
Researchers developed a new method to make yeast better at using both glucose and xylose sugars for bioethanol production. They deleted certain genes in the yeast and evolved it in the lab to consume both sugars efficiently. Mutations in specific genes were found to improve sugar consumption. By making these genetic changes, the yeast could convert sugars faster in bioreactors, showing promise for more efficient bioethanol production from plant materials.