A recent publication in Nature Chemical Biology by Anastasia Krivoruchko and Biopetrolia-affiliated researchers at Chalmers details development of a yeast platform for de novo production of oleoylethanolamide, a phospholipid derivative with promising pharmacological applications in ameliorating lipid dysfunction and neurobehavioral symptoms. This research involved engineering the native phospholipid metabolism, screening of biosynthetic enzymes, engineering subcellular trafficking, and process optimization to obtain record levels of oleoylethanolamide. This work provides a proof-of-concept study for how phospholipid metabolism can be repurposed for production of value-added products.
Production of bioactive lipids with pharmacological applications with yeast