SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY & BIOPRODUCTS

Engineering Biology to Produce Complex Molecules

Reconstructing biosynthetic pathways in engineered yeast and bacterial hosts to develop controlled microbial production systems.

A BIOLOGICAL ROUTE

Simple starting materials.
Complex possibilities.

Many high-value natural products are difficult or expensive to obtain through agriculture or chemical synthesis. We develop engineered yeast and bacterial production platforms that can convert relatively simple starting materials into complex natural products and specialty molecules.

Reconstructing biosynthetic pathways in microbial hosts offers routes to compounds originating in plants, fungi, and other biological sources. Controlled fermentation systems can help reduce dependence on agricultural inputs, hazardous reagents, and resource-intensive extraction.

From sequence to purified product

Conceptual fermentation illustration

PROGRAMS & PRODUCTION POSSIBILITIES

Exploring biology’s
molecular diversity.

These programs describe development, investigation, and potential applications. They do not establish commercial availability or medical benefits.

Conceptual saffron fermentation illustration

Engineered yeast systems under development

Bio-Based Saffron Compounds

Flavor. Aroma. Color.

Picrocrocin, safranal, and crocin contribute to saffron’s characteristic flavor, aroma, and color. New Horizons Biotech is developing engineered yeast systems to produce these compounds through microbial fermentation.

Rather than relying exclusively on cultivation and extraction of saffron plants, microbial biosynthesis offers a potential route to individual saffron compounds in controlled fermentation systems. This approach could enable more consistent and scalable production of valuable flavor, fragrance, and natural color ingredients; it is not a statement of commercial product availability.

Conceptual fungal bioproduction illustration

Alternative microbial production being investigated

Fungal-Derived Functional Ingredients

Natural pathways. New production possibilities.

Erinacine A and hericenones from Hericium erinaceus are examples of high-value fungal metabolites that can be challenging to obtain in significant quantities through cultivation and extraction. We are investigating microbial biosynthesis as an alternative production platform.

Identifying and reconstructing the biochemical pathways responsible for natural-product formation could move production into controlled microbial fermentation. Fungal metabolites have potential applications in research, nutrition, biotechnology, and medicine; these are areas of potential application, not claims of health benefits, treatment efficacy, or available products.

Conceptual plant-to-fermentation illustration

Potential fermentation route — not established commercial production

Bioproduction of Plant Alkaloids

From Plants to Fermentation

Mesembrine, produced by Sceletium tortuosum (Kanna), is traditionally obtained through cultivation and extraction of plant material. Reconstructing plant biosynthetic pathways in yeast or other microbial hosts could provide an alternative route through controlled fermentation.

Plant alkaloids span potential uses in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, research, and specialty-ingredient contexts. A fermentation approach could provide a more consistent source of specialized plant metabolites and reduce dependence on land, water, and energy used in conventional cultivation. This describes production potential, not demonstrated commercial production or medical benefits.

THE NEXT CONVERSATION

New possibilities start
with a conversation.

Talk with our team about your target molecule, production-route development, or a potential collaboration.

Discuss a Project