Master Thesis available at the Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology at BOKU/Vienna

Project

The methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii (formerly known as “Pichia pastoris”) is among the most widely used expression hosts for recombinant protein production. Nowadays, research on improving protein secretion is exclusively based on the strain family of CBS7435, with other Komagataella sp. strains and species being mostly neglected. Yet, we see considerable inter- and intraspecies variation in strain performance according to the origin of isolates. Different ecological niches and environmental conditions shape yeast communities, resulting in significant phenotypic variation across a broad range of industrially-relevant capabilities. These adaptations to different habitats can be exploited for biotechnological purposes. Thus, this project aims to isolate novel Komagataella sp. strains and characterize them with regard to genetic transformability and production titers of recombinant proteins.

For further information on the project and how to apply see file attached or write an E-mail to: Marina.Jecmenica@boku.ac.at and Lina.Heistinger@boku.ac.at