This text is addressed to reseachers and scientists working in the field with methylotrophic yeasts, in particular hansenula polymorpha, and provides a comphrehensive overview of the present status of hensenula polymorpha research, applications and methods. Aspects of the organism ranging from systematics, genetics, methanol metabolism and peroxisomal function to its use as a technology platform for the production of recombinant proteins are covered. A detailed chapter on laboratory methods is also included.

Table of Contents

Preface. List of Contributors. History, habitat, variability, nomeclature and phylogenetic position of Hansenula polymorpha. Basic genetics of Hansenula polymorpha. Biochemistry and genetics of nitrate assimilation. Amino acid biosynthesis. Methanol metabolism. Hansenula polymorpha: a versatile model organism in peroxisome research. Characteristics of the Hansenula polymorpha genome. The expression platform based on H. polymorpha strain RB11 and its derivatives history, status and perspectives. Development of expression systems for the production of recombinant proteins in Hansenula polymorpha DL 1. Foreign gene expression in Hansenula polymorpha approaches for "difficult proteins". Fermentation and primary product recovery. Recombinant hepatitis B vaccines disease characterization and vaccine production. Production of anticoagulants in Hansenula polymorpha. Production of cytokines in Hansenula polymorpha. Technical enzyme production and whole cell biocatalysis: application of Hansenula polymorpha. Biosafety aspects of genetically engineered Hansenula polymorpha a case study about non deliberate environmental releases. Methods. Index.