PNNL

Beth Hofstad has over 20 years of research experience. Subject areas include fungal biochemical applications, bioremediation, pharmaceuticals, enzyme, organic acid and ethanol production. She currently works in Chemical and Biological Process Development group. Within this group, she is focused on managing projects where the focus is creating biofuels and bioproducts using fungal strains. She is currently working with fellow scientists identifying and quantifying cellulose degrading enzymes using activity based chemical probes. She is assisting in research using proteomics to identify proteins involved in the production of lipids in algae.

She has been part of many publications, including journal articles, conference proceedings and technical reports. Mrs. Hofstad originally joined PNNL in 1990 and rejoined PNNL in 1997 after college.

• Fundamental research using filamentous fungi to convert biomass to high-value chemical products like fuels, chemicals and enzymes
• Biochemical process engineering and genetic engineering to better understand and control fungal metabolism

• B.S., Microbiology, Washington State University
• Project Management Development Program completed, June 2019

• U.S. Patent No. 12,338,480, June 24, 2025, "ACONITIC ACID EXPORTER (AEXA) INCREASES ORGANIC ACID PRODUCTION IN ASPERGILLUS (iEdison No. 0685901-20-0043)".
• U.S. Patent No. 11,873,523, January 16, 2024, "ACONITIC ACID EXPORTER (AEXA) INCREASES ORGANIC ACID PRODUCTION IN ASPERGILLUS (iEdison No. 0685901-20-00430)".

2025

• Czajka J.J., Z. Dai, T. Radivojevic, J. Kim, S. Deng, T.L. Lemmon, and M.S. Swita, et al. 2025. "Enabling malic acid production from corn-stover hydrolysate in Lipomyces starkeyi via metabolic engineering and bioprocess optimization." Microbial Cell Factories 24:Art. No. 117. PNNL-SA-204465. doi:10.1186/s12934-025-02705-0

2024

• Czajka J.J., Y. Han, J. Kim, S.J. Mondo, B.A. Hofstad, A.L. Robles, and S. Haridas, et al. 2024. "Genome-Scale Model Development and Genomic Sequencing of the Oleaginous Clade Lipomyces." Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 12. PNNL-SA-193362. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2024.1356551
• Yuan G., S. Deng, J.J. Czajka, Z. Dai, B.A. Hofstad, J. Kim, and K.R. Pomraning. 2024. "CRISPR-Cas9/Cas12a Systems for efficient genome editing and large genomic fragment deletions in Aspergillus niger." Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 12. PNNL-SA-199630. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2024.1452496
• Yuan G., S. Gao, J.J. Czajka, Z. Dai, K.R. Pomraning, R.D. Duong, and B.A. Hofstad, et al. 2024. "Simple and effective Squash-PCR for rapid genotyping of industrial microalgae." Life 14, no. 1:Art. No. 115. PNNL-SA-192108. doi:10.3390/life14010115

2023

• Affandy M., C. Zhu, M.S. Swita, B.A. Hofstad, D.J. Cronin, R.T. Elander, and V. Dagle. 2023. "Production and Catalytic Upgrading of 2,3-Butanediol Fermentation Broth into Sustainable Aviation Fuel Blendstock and Fuel Properties Measurement." Fuel 333, no. part 1:Art. No. 126328. PNNL-SA-169712. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2022.126328
• Dai Z., K.R. Pomraning, S. Deng, J. Kim, K.B. Campbell, A.L. Robles, and B.A. Hofstad, et al. 2023. "Metabolic engineering to improve production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid from corn-stover hydrolysate in Aspergillus species." Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts 16. PNNL-SA-182738. doi:10.1186/s13068-023-02288-1
• Deng S., J. Kim, K.R. Pomraning, Y. Gao, J.E. Evans, B.A. Hofstad, and Z. Dai, et al. 2023. "Identification of a specific exporter that enables high production of aconitic acid in Aspergillus pseudoterreus." Metabolic Engineering 80. PNNL-SA-181297. doi:10.1016/j.ymben.2023.09.011
• Yuan G., J.J. Czajka, Z. Dai, D. Hu, K.R. Pomraning, B.A. Hofstad, and J. Kim, et al. 2023. "Rapid and robust squashed spore/colony PCR of industrially important fungi." Fungal Biology and Biotechnology 10. PNNL-SA-186830. doi:10.1186/s40694-023-00163-0

2022

• Pomraning K.R., Z. Dai, N. Munoz Munoz, Y. Kim, Y. Gao, S. Deng, and T.L. Lemmon, et al. 2022. "Itaconic acid production is regulated by laeA in Aspergillus pseudoterreus." Metabolic Engineering Communications 15. PNNL-SA-171876. doi:10.1016/j.mec.2022.e00203

2021

• Dai Z., K.R. Pomraning, E.A. Panisko, B.A. Hofstad, K.B. Campbell, J. Kim, and A.L. Robles, et al. 2021. "Genetically engineered oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi for sesquiterpene a-zingiberene production." ACS Synthetic Biology 10, no. 5:1000-1008. PNNL-SA-156626. doi:10.1021/acssynbio.0c00503
• Hofstad B.A. 2021. Engineering CghSAMPa Production in Fungi and Bioprocess Development - CRADA 502. PNNL-SA-161176. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. doi:10.2172/1827800.
• Hofstad B.A. 2021. Engineering Fatty Acid Synthesis in Rhodosporidium Toruloides to Produce Mid-Chain Fatty Acids and Fatty Alcohols - CRADA 501. PNNL-SA-159354. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. doi:10.2172/1827799.
• Hofstad B.A. 2021. Expanding the composition of polyhydroxyalkanoates produced by an industrial host - CRADA 505. PNNL-SA-163493. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. doi:10.2172/1867268.Expanding the composition of polyhydroxyalkanoates produced by an industrial host - CRADA 505
• Pomraning K.R., Z. Dai, N. Munoz Munoz, Y. Kim, Y. Gao, S. Deng, and J. Kim, et al. 2021. "Integration of proteomics and metabolomics into the Design, Build, Test, Learn cycle to improve 3-hydroxypropionic acid production in Aspergillus pseudoterreus." Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 9. PNNL-SA-149911. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2021.603832

2020

• Cordova L.T., B.C. Lad, S.A. Ali, A.J. Schmidt, J.M. Billing, K.R. Pomraning, and B.A. Hofstad, et al. 2020. "Valorizing a Hydrothermal Liquefaction Aqueous Phase through co-production of chemicals and lipids using the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica." Bioresource Technology 313. PNNL-SA-153615. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123639
• Deng S., Z. Dai, M.S. Swita, K.R. Pomraning, B.A. Hofstad, E.A. Panisko, and S.E. Baker, et al. 2020. "Deletion analysis of the itaconic acid biosynthesis gene cluster components in Aspergillus pseudoterreus ATCC32359." Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 104, no. 9:3981-3992. PNNL-SA-144713. doi:10.1007/s00253-020-10418-0

2019

• Collett J.R., J.M. Billing, P.A. Meyer, A.J. Schmidt, A.B. Remington, E. Hawley, and B.A. Hofstad, et al. 2019. "Renewable diesel via hydrothermal liquefaction of oleaginous yeast and residual lignin from bioconversion of corn stover." Applied Energy 233. PNNL-SA-133222. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.09.115
• Dai Z., K.R. Pomraning, S. Deng, B.A. Hofstad, E.A. Panisko, D. Rodriguez, and M.G. Butcher, et al. 2019. "Deletion of the ku70 homologue facilitates gene targeting in lipomyces starkeyi strain NRRL Y-11558." Current Genetics 65, no. 1:269-282. PNNL-SA-130042. doi:10.1007/s00294-018-0875-z
• Pomraning K.R., J.R. Collett, J. Kim, E.A. Panisko, D.E. Culley, Z. Dai, and S. Deng, et al. 2019. "Transcriptomic analysis of the oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi during lipid accumulation on enzymatically treated corn stover hydrolysate." Biotechnology for Biofuels 12. PNNL-SA-142743. doi:10.1186/s13068-019-1510-z

2017

• Bartholomew R.A., R.M. Ozanich, J.S. Arce, H.E. Engelmann, A. Heredia-Langner, B.A. Hofstad, and J.R. Hutchison, et al. 2017. "Evaluation of Immunoassays and General Biological Indicator Tests for Field Screening of Bacillus anthracis and Ricin." Health Security 15, no. 1:81-96. PNNL-SA-116267. doi:10.1089/hs.2016.0044

2013

• Anderson L.N., D.E. Culley, B.A. Hofstad, L.M. Chauvigne-Hines, E.M. Zink, S.O. Purvine, and R.D. Smith, et al. 2013. "Activity-based protein profiling of secreted cellulolytic enzyme activity dynamics in Trichoderma reesei QM6a, NG14, and RUT-C30." Molecular Biosystems 9, no. 12:2992-3000. PNNL-SA-97265. doi:10.1039/c3mb70333a
• Wiedner S.D., C. Ansong, B.M. Webb-Robertson, L.M. Pederson, S. Fortuin, B.A. Hofstad, and A.K. Shukla, et al. 2013. "Disparate Proteome Responses of Pathogenic and Non-pathogenic Aspergilli to Human Serum Measured by Activity-Based Protein Profiling (ABPP)." Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. MCP 12, no. 7:1791-1805. PNNL-SA-91969. doi:10.1074/mcp.M112.026534

2012

• Chauvigne-Hines L.M., L.N. Anderson, H.M. Weaver, J.N. Brown, P.K. Koech, C.D. Nicora, and B.A. Hofstad, et al. 2012. "Suite of Activity-Based Probes for Cellulose-Degrading Enzymes." Journal of the American Chemical Society 134, no. 50:20521-20532. PNNL-SA-91066. doi:10.1021/ja309790w

2011

• Baker S.E., M.G. Butcher, D.E. Culley, B.A. Hofstad, and J.K. Magnuson. 2011. Novozymes/Battelle CRADA No. PNNL/289 Final Report: PNNL Fungal Biotechnology Core DOE-OBP Project. PNNL-20885. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.