The earth’s biosphere is comprised of a wide variety of organisms of varying complexity. The more complex organisms, which are often multicellular and whose chromosomes are contained in a well-defined nucleus, are known as eukaryotes. Simpler organisms, which are single-celled and do not have a well-defined nucleus, are known as prokaryotes. Eukaryotes include animals and plants, fungi and algae, insects and mollusks, while prokaryotes are primarily comprised of bacteria.

Biodiversity describes the variety of different life forms that exist on the planet. The total number of unique species is difficult to quantify and is the subject of scientific debate. However, it is generally concurred by most estimates that the majority of species on earth are eukaryotic, making up more than 90% of the planet’s life forms. (See references to the left)

Just as eukaryotes are more complex organisms than prokaryotes, their genes and the products of those genes – proteins – are also more complex than those of prokaryotes. Because of this added complexity, bacteria and other prokaryotes are not able to convert many eukaryotic genes into functional proteins. Eukaryotes, however, are able to express genes from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In order to completely mine the earth’s vast gene pool for useful proteins, geneticists, microbiologists and molecular biologists must have the tools to express eukaryotic genes.

Dyadic has developed the only gene discovery system that utilizes a eukaryotic host system, allowing scientists to access the full spectrum of biodiversity. This groundbreaking system is based on Dyadic’s proprietary fungus, Chrysosporium lucknowense, or C1. C1 has unique physical properties, enabling it to grow and making it amenable to the low-volume liquid handling conditions that are utilized in Dyadic’s high throughput robotic screening technology.

While a large number of species have been described by biologists, there are an even larger number of unknown species, and it is estimated that greater than 90% of those species are eukaryotes. These organisms potentially contain genes encoding products valuable for a number of industries. The ability to screen the genes from eukaryotes by functional expression will enable the identification of those genes and gene products, from organisms known and unknown, without prior knowledge of their genes or gene sequences.

Many of these useful genes will encode enzyme biocatalysts. Such genes can potentially be mined from environmental sources such as soil, agricultural residues, and groundwater. Those biocatalysts are useful for the chemical, textiles, food and animal feed, pulp and paper and a number of other industries.

The agricultural industry will also benefit from C1’s ability to access eukaryotic gene functions. Metabolic enzymes encoded by eukaryotic genes are potentially useful targets for the herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides. C1’s capability to express those genes will allow for the development of those useful products for the agricultural industry. In addition, eukaryotic genes will also provide value-added traits for crop plants and allow the conversion of crop residues to biofuels. (More at Agriculture)

Among human proteins, there are several hundred known and validated, and several thousand suspected drug targets. In addition, there are a number of human proteins – such as cytokines and enzymes – that are known or potential therapeutic agents. The ability to express those genes will be critical in the development of human gene products as therapeutic agents. In addition, C1’s ability to screen expressed genes in a high-throughput environment will enable the screening of variant gene products with improved stability for use as therapeutic agents. (More at Biopharma)

Such scientific advances are made possible by utilizing Dyadic’s proprietary C1 technology to access the full spectrum of the earth’s biodiversity. C1’s ability to be used in a high-throughput environment - paired with its capability to efficiently express eukaryotic genes - makes it the ideal host for rapidly discovering novel genes that have previously been inaccessible.