CRISPRi screen highlights chromatin regulation to be involved in formic acid tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

•Regulation of chromatin related genes can improve formic acid tolerance.•50% of the strains sensitive to formic acid were also sensitive to acetic acid.•Growth at 140 mM formic acid proved to predict growth in synthetic hydrolysate.•Vesicle transport is essential for tolerance to both formic acid and acetic acid.