Recombinant microalgae cells producing novel oils
AssigneeSolazyme, Inc.
InventorsScott Franklin, Aravind Somanchi, Karen Espina, George Rudenko, Penelope Chua
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are obligate heterotrophic microalgae cells containing an exogenous gene. In some embodiments the gene is a sucrose utilization gene, and further disclosed are methods of manufacturing triglyceride oils using sugar cane or sugar beets as a feedstock in a heterotrophic fermentation. In other embodiments the feedstock is depolymerized cellulosic material. Also disclosed are cells that produce medium chain fatty acids at levels not produced in non-recombinant cells of the same species and genus.
Claims19
A cell of the genus Prototheca comprising an exogenous gene encoding a fatty acid desaturase, wherein the exogenous gene is integrated into the nuclear genome of the cell and is expressed thereby modifying the saturation of fatty acids in the cell.
A cell of the genus Prototheca comprising an exogenous gene that is integrated into a nuclear chromosome of the cell, wherein the integration of the exogenous gene ablates the expression of an endogenous fatty acid desaturase gene thereby modifying the saturation of fatty acids in the cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.