Patent ID: 8206984

Claim:
A method for transformation of cells of a microorganism of the Order Thraustochytriales, the method comprising: a. introducing into cells of a microorganism of the Order Thraustochytriales a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an acetolactate synthase that confers onto the cells reduced sensitivity to compounds selected from the group consisting of: sulfonylurea compounds, imidazolinone-class inhibitors, and pyrimidinyl oxybenzoates, wherein the acetolactate synthase has an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 24; and b. selecting cells that have been successfully transformed with the recombinant nucleic acid molecule by culturing the cells of (a) in a medium containing at least one compound that is inhibitory to untransformed cells, the compound being selected from the group consisting of: a sulfonylurea compound, an imidazolinone-class inhibitor, and pyrimidinyl oxybenzoates.