In a recent publication in the journal Metabolic Engineering, Biopetrolia-affiliated researchers at Chalmers reported on the engineering of yeast for production of medium chain aliphatic hydrocarbons. Medium chain hydrocarbons such as alkanes and alkenes are the main constituents of gasoline and jet fuels and are therefore attractive drop-in fuel for these purposes.
The process includes engineering of the yeast fatty acid synthesis machinery, so that the right fatty acid length is produced, followed by conversion of this fatty acid to an alkane or alkene form.