Optimization of itaconic acid production by U. maydis through metabolic engineering & adaptive laboratory evolution

This thesis focused on the fungus Ustilago maydis as natural itaconic acid producer. Two strategies were chased to improve its production performance: metabolic engineering and adaptive laboratory evolution. The final engineered strains feature great, far optimized itaconate production parameters making U. maydis an industrial relevant production host for this value-added chemical from biomass.