Biologist Leandro Santos is at the forefront of biomass-derived fuel production in Brazil. He was the first in the country to develop a genetically modified yeast that leverages its metabolism to produce bioethanol. This yeast is currently being utilized in the industry. Leandro earned his master’s degree in agricultural microbiology from the Federal University of Viçosa and his PhD in genetics and molecular biology from the State University of Campinas. To unwind, he dons the chef’s hat and prepares weekend lunches for his household. Additionally, tending to the family farm provides him with the tranquility needed to continue his work.
Leandro Vieira dos Santos
Engineering, Life Sciences
Projects
Harnessing Biological Platforms for Sustainable Biofuel and Biochemical Production from Renewable Energy Sources
Science / Engineering
Just as oil can be fractionated in a petrochemical refinery to produce a range of compounds, the sugars found in the cellulosic and hemicellulosic chains of plant biomass can also be recovered to construct various chemical blocks. The development of microbial strains capable of utilizing these renewable sugars and acting as efficient biocatalysts in fermentations forms the foundation for constructing biorefineries. We plan to employ metabolic and evolutionary engineering tools, multi-omics analysis, and systems biology to predict metabolic pathways and develop microbial strains to produce various chemical blocks. This will position Brazil at the forefront of renewable energy development. Our goal is to unravel the molecular bases involved in metabolism, the signaling network that regulates the production of these compounds, and the tolerance to groups of inhibitors present in hydrolysates from lignocellulosic materials.
Amount invested
Grant Serrapilheira: R$ 100,000.00
