Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the best characterized eukaryotic organisms. This species has enabled a detailed study of the (genetic) requirements for Agrobacterium -mediated DNA transformation. For instance research with this yeast has led to the recognition that the transforming DNA molecules integrate into the eukaryotic chromosomes either by homologous recombination, which is the preferred pathway in S. cerevisiae , or by nonhomologous end-joining. Based on the protocol for Agrobacterium -mediated transformation of S. cerevisiae methodology has been developed for the transformation of many other yeast and fungal species.