Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the innovative approach taken by the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology to address the scarcity of sandalwood resources through synthetic biology techniques, specifically the development of a yeast cell factory for efficient production of sandalwood alcohol [1][2]. Group 1: Sandalwood Alcohol Production - Sandalwood alcohol, derived from sandalwood heartwood, is highly valued in various industries, but its natural resource is scarce and expensive, priced at approximately $2500 per kilogram [1]. - The research team successfully enhanced the total yield of sandalwood alcohol and sandalwood olefin by 5.1 times, achieving a concentration of 0.9 g/L in initial experiments [2]. - The conversion rate from sandalwood olefin to sandalwood alcohol was initially 31.0%, which improved to 60.6% through innovative engineering of the P450 enzyme [2]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - The team utilized a targeted signal peptide to localize key enzymes within peroxisomes, overcoming initial challenges related to enzyme integration [2]. - By truncating the transmembrane domain of the P450 enzyme and fusing it with a membrane anchoring unit, the team achieved precise localization on the peroxisome membrane, significantly improving conversion rates [2]. - The final production in a 5-liter fermentation tank reached a record yield of 10.4 g/L, marking a significant advancement in the sustainable production of sandalwood oil [2]. Group 3: Research Support and Future Directions - The research received funding from several national projects, including the National Key R&D Program and the National Natural Science Foundation [3]. - The results have been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry and multiple patents have been applied for [3]. - The Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone is actively supporting the development of the bio-manufacturing industry, aiming to transform innovative research outcomes into practical applications [3].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the sustainable and large-scale production of sandalwood essential oil through synthetic biology, addressing the resource scarcity and high costs associated with natural sandalwood [1][3]. Group 1: Sandalwood Essential Oil Overview - Sandalwood essential oil, derived from sandalwood heartwood, is highly valued for its unique woody fragrance and is used in perfumes, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and religious ceremonies [1]. - The slow growth of sandalwood trees, which take decades to mature, along with overharvesting, has led to a significant increase in market prices, approximately $2,500 per kilogram, and unstable supply [1]. Group 2: Synthetic Biology Approach - The research team at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology has successfully developed a yeast cell factory capable of producing sandalwood alcohol, achieving a record yield of 10.4 g/L, which is the highest reported in literature [3][4]. - The team utilized subcellular compartment engineering to enhance the production process, specifically targeting the peroxisome for enzyme localization, which significantly improved the conversion rates of sandalwood precursors [4]. Group 3: Research and Development Achievements - The study demonstrated a 5.1-fold increase in total yield of sandalwood alcohol and sandalwood olefin, reaching 0.9 g/L, with further innovations leading to a conversion rate increase to 60.6% [4]. - The research has received funding from various national programs and has resulted in multiple patent applications, with findings published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry [5].