Engineered Yeast Strains for Stable Hydroxylated Collagen Production
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for alternative materials that can produce collagen for biofabricated leather with improved strength, uniformity, and aesthetic properties, as traditional leather production has economic, environmental, and social costs, and existing recombinant collagen technologies have not been used to produce leather.
Innovation Solution
Genetically engineered yeast strains are developed to produce non-hydroxylated and hydroxylated collagen, using all-in-one vectors that include DNA for collagen production and hydroxylating enzymes, enabling the production of stable collagen for biofabricated leather.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional leather production methods are used, then leather products can be manufactured, but economic, environmental, and social costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of collagen (the main component of leather) through recombinant DNA technology in yeast cells. Instead of using animal hides, the invention synthesizes collagen proteins that mimic the structure and properties of natural leather collagen, thereby eliminating the need for animal slaughter and reducing environmental impact while maintaining leather production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/biological process of animal hide processing with a biochemical production system using genetically engineered yeast. The collagen is produced through cellular metabolism and protein synthesis pathways rather than through traditional tanning and processing of animal skins, substituting a controlled biological system for traditional industrial processes
2Productivity
If existing recombinant collagen technologies are used, then collagen can be produced, but the collagen lacks stability and cannot be effectively used for leather production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of collagen by introducing specific amino acid sequences and post-translational modifications that enhance stability. The engineered collagen contains optimized proline and hydroxyproline content, along with specific glycine arrangements, which improve the triple helix stability and resistance to degradation, making it suitable for leather applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite collagen structure by combining multiple protein domains and modifying the molecular architecture. The engineered collagen incorporates stable triple-helical regions with specific sequence patterns that resist pepsin degradation and maintain structural integrity, effectively creating a more robust material than previously achieved through recombinant methods
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The engineered yeast strains increase collagen production and stability, allowing for the creation of high-quality biofabricated leather with improved properties, such as resistance to high pepsin concentrations, facilitating the production of biofabricated leather materials.
Implementation Method 1
Collagen has been harvested from bacteria and yeast using recombinant techniques
Implementation Method 2
at neutral pH, acid-solubilized collagen self-assembled into fibrils composed of the same cross-striated patterns observed in native tissue
Implementation Method 3
strains of engineered yeast to produce hydroxylated collagen
Data Source
AI summary
Strains of yeast genetically engineered to produce increased amounts of non-hydroxylated collagen or hydroxylated collagen are described. An all-in-one vector including the DNA necessary to produce collagen, promotors, and hydroxylating enzymes is also described. Methods for producing non-hydroxylated or hydroxylated collagen are also provided.