OPTimising IndiGOidine production heterogeneity for sustainable microbial blue pigment biosynthesis

The textile industry is a major global contributor to environmental pollution, primarily due to the harsh conditions and hazardous chemicals used in fabric pre-treatment, dyeing, and finishing processes1.

Notably, the chemical synthesis of dyes such as indigo, best known for its use in jeans manufacturing, contributes to this burden. With growing demands for clothing and fabrics, there is a desperate need for more sustainable alternatives.

One potential solution is the use of microbial alternatives to indigo, with a similar colour spectrum and dying capacity.

Our lab recently engineered a microbial factory for production of blue dyes using the industrially relevant yeast Yarrowia lipolytica and we have registered a patent due to promising yields during small-scale fermentation.

In our latest research to improve production yields, we noticed a remarkable difference biosynthesis at the single-cell level, with some cells containing tenfold amounts of the pigment.

Building on our recent research funded by the ERC starting grant DEUSBIO to understand metabolic single-cell heterogeneity, this proposal aims to characterise drivers of production heterogeneity during Y. lipolytica fermentation.

Furthermore, we intend to harness production heterogeneity by engineering stable high producer populations, to optimise bioproduction and increase overall yields.

This research will be pivotal for improving the economic viability of sustainable dye production and for developing an optimized microbial host with broader applications in biomanufacturing processes.

By establishing a proof of concept (PoC) through this research, we anticipate potential collaborations with industrial partners, paving the way for the commercialisation of sustainable blue pigment production.