Multicopy integration and expression of heterologous genes in the oleaginous yeast, Lipomyces starkeyi

The oleaginous yeast, Lipomyces starkeyi, is an excellent lipid producer with great industrial potential. However, methods for molecular breeding have not been established for L. starkeyi. We describe the development of a system for targeted rDNA integration of multiple copies of a gene into L. starkeyi genome by spheroplast-polyethylene glycol transformation.