Yeast Synthetic Biology

Vision

Our vision is to develop indigenous yeast chassis tailored to the specific requirements of target products for next-generation biomanufacturing.

The Yeast Synthetic Biology Group develops robust yeast cell factories with synthetic biology and metabolic engineering at the core, supported by genome engineering and bioprocess development. Our research spans three yeast technology platforms: conventional industrial yeasts, non-conventional yeasts and yeast protein expression systems, providing a diverse range of hosts for the sustainable production of fuels, chemicals, oleochemicals, flavors and fragrance molecules, recombinant proteins and other high-value bioproducts from renewable resources.

Rather than relying on a single yeast platform for diverse products, we select hosts according to the biological, metabolic and process requirements of each target product and engineer them into fit-for-purpose production chassis-the right chassis for the right molecule. Through the ICGEB Biofoundry, we integrate chassis and pathway engineering with design-build-test-learn approaches, supported by multi-omics and metabolic flux analysis, to guide iterative strain optimization and accelerate the development of scalable microbial cell factories.

Conventional Industrial Yeast Platforms

Conventional industrial yeasts remain a cornerstone of modern biomanufacturing. A major focus of our programme is the development of the indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain NGY10 as a flagship industrial yeast chassis. NGY10 has been successfully evaluated for molasses-based ethanol production in industrial trials at scales of 1,000–1,800 kL, demonstrating its robustness and performance under large-scale fermentation conditions. Building on this industrially validated background, we combine genome engineering, orthogonal gene regulation, synthetic regulatory systems and metabolic engineering to tailor NGY10 as a fit-for-purpose production chassis for target products and processes. NGY10 has also been recognized as a production strain under the DBT-BIRAC high-performance biomanufacturing initiative, highlighting its potential as an indigenous host for bio-based chemicals, biopolymers and other industrial biotechnology products.

Our research further encompasses industrial stress biology, renewable feedstock utilization and lignocellulosic biorefineries, linking chassis engineering with process-relevant phenotypes and scalable biomanufacturing.

Non-conventional Yeast Platforms

INon-conventional yeasts offer metabolic and physiological capabilities that can provide intrinsic advantages for particular product classes. A major focus of our research is the indigenous oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula pacifica INDKK, which we are developing as a flagship non-conventional yeast chassis for products that benefit from its lipid-rich physiology and expanded mevalonate pathway, including oleochemicals, sustainable aviation fuel precursors, carotenoids, terpenoids and other high-value molecules.

To establish a genome and data-guided engineering framework for R. pacifica, we have generated a high-quality genome assembly together with transcriptomic, proteomic and lipidomic datasets. Building on these resources, we are developing genome-editing technologies, genetic toolkits, synthetic regulatory elements and metabolic engineering strategies to harness its distinctive lipid and isoprenoid metabolism. We also explore other non-conventional yeasts with promising metabolic traits to identify hosts suited to specific product classes and industrial process requirements.

Yeast Protein Expression Platforms

We are developing yeast protein expression platforms based on Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) and other emerging expression hosts. Our research focuses on synthetic transcription factors and promoters, expression vectors, genome-engineering tools and regulatory elements for efficient production of recombinant proteins and specialty biomolecules.

This programme extends our chassis-selection strategy beyond metabolic products to recombinant protein production. By matching expression hosts with product-specific requirements such as secretion, folding, post-translational processing and process robustness, we aim to develop optimized expression systems for industrial biotechnology and biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Technology Translation

Technology translation is integral to the Yeast Synthetic Biology Group. Through the ICGEB Biofoundry and collaborative programmes, we connect rational host selection and chassis development with design-build-test-learn cycles, bioprocess development, scale-up and industrial validation, creating a pipeline from biological design to deployable biomanufacturing technologies. Our translational efforts with academic, industry and government partners emphasize intellectual property generation, process scale-up, industrial validation, public-private partnerships and technology transfer.

A recent example is the transfer of our 1G ethanol production technology to Fermbox Pvt. Ltd. on Technology Day, 11 May 2026, demonstrating the translation of indigenous yeast biotechnology from laboratory development towards industrial implementation.

Patents

1. Shahid Ali Wani and Naseem A. Gaur (2023). Novel Process for Xylobiose and Ethanol Co-production. Indian Patent Application No. TEMP/E-1/88472/2022-DEL.
2. Adesh K. Saini, Sonam Kumari and Naseem A. Gaur (2020). An Antifungal Composition Comprising Bark and Leaves Extract of Populus ciliata Plant and Method Thereof. Indian Patent Application No. 202011014386.
3. Naseem A. Gaur, Rajendra Prasad, Sonam Verma and Mohit Kumar (2020). ABC Transporters Deficient Pathogenic Yeast Strain, Overexpression System for Characterization of Membrane Transporters and a Process for the Same. Indian Patent Application No. 201911008033.
4. Naseem A. Gaur and Priya Kumari (2020). Metabolic Engineering of Yeast for High-Level Biodiesel Production. Indian Patent Application No. 201911029246.

Technologies and Processes Developed

1. 1G ethanol production technology transferred to Fermbox Pvt. Ltd. on Technology Day, 11 May 2026.
2. Genetically engineered yeast platforms for ethanol production from grains and lignocellulosic biomass.
3. Integrated process for fermentation of molasses and lignocellulosic hydrolysates using the thermotolerant industrial yeast S. cerevisiae NGY10.
4. Integrated biorefinery process for biodiesel and beta-carotene production using Rhodotorula pacifica INDKK from sugarcane bagasse and molasses.
5. Integrated process for xylitol and ethanol production from corncob and Albizia pod hydrolysates using inhibitor-tolerant Candida tropicalis K2 and S. cerevisiae NGY10.
6. Fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) production through in vivo transesterification using genetically engineered yeast.
7. Process for triacylglycerol (TAG) production from Pongamia shell hydrolysate using the oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula pacifica INDKK.
8. Candida glabrata homologous overexpression platform for functional characterization of membrane drug transporters and applications in antifungal drug discovery.

Recent Publications