Strategies for the genetic manipulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is now widely used as a model organism in the study of gene structure, function, and regulation in addition to its more traditional use as a workhorse of the brewing and baking industries. In this article the plethora of methods available for manipulating the genome of S. cerevisiae are reviewed. This will include a discussion of methods for manipulating individual genes and whole chromosomes, and will address both classic genetic and recombinant DNA-based methods. Furthermore, a critical evaluation of the various genetic strategies for genetically manipulating this simple eukaryote will be included, highlighting the requirements of both the new and the more traditional biotechnology industries.