The group of YANG Sheng at CAS SIBS has  developed a series of genome editing tools for Yarrowia lipolytica and generated an efficient biosynthetic pathway using strong promoters and multiple gene copies for each of the 12 steps involved in ß-carotene biosynthesis. Using fed-batch fermentation with an optimized medium, the engineered Y. lipolytica  cells could produce 4 g/L β-carotene, which is stored in lipid droplets within the cells.

CAS news release, April 20, 2017