Reference: Martinez JPO and Speight RE (2026) High-Throughput Yeast Engineering in Biofoundries: Toward Autonomous and Scalable Synthetic Biology. FEMS Yeast Res

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Abstract


High-throughput yeast engineering is being transformed by biofoundries that integrate automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and standardised workflows. This review examines how these facilities accelerate strain development through the Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycle, with advances in genome editing, phenotypic screening, and predictive modelling. It highlights Australia's involvement through the Australian Genome Foundry, Idea-BIO and the CSIRO Biofoundiry and explores global efforts to overcome reproducibility and standardisation challenges. Despite progress, key barriers remain, including protocol variability and integration of AI tools. We also highlight the opportunity for a shift toward autonomous, self-optimising "self-driving labs" that transition from DBTL to Design-Build-Deploy cycles. The future of yeast engineering depends not only on technological innovation, but also on the harmonisation of international standards, data governance, and ethical safeguards. If fully realised, the convergence of robotics, AI, and synthetic biology will redefine yeast engineering, leading to step changes in strain performance for a variety of important products, thus enabling economic and sustainable biomanufacturing at scale.

Reference Type
Journal Article
Authors
Martinez JPO, Speight RE
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Gene Ontology Annotations


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Gene Species Gene ID Strain background Direction Details Source Reference