Solazyme obtains US patent on recombinant algae

Solazyme obtained US Patent No. 8,951,777 , which has abstract

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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.

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The first claim is limited to Prototheca:

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A method for preparing recombinant microalgal cells of the genus Prototheca, the method comprising: heterotrophically cultivating recombinant microalgal cells of the genus Prototheca in a fermentation broth, the cells comprising a chromosomal knockout of a stearoyl ACP (acyl carrier protein) desaturase allele so that the cells produce an oil having an altered fatty acid profile comprising a reduction in unsaturated fatty acids; and isolating the cells from the broth. 
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