The Development of a Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) Scheme for Characterizing Geographically Distributed Yarrowia lipolytica Strains

RENEA DOUGLAS

Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America

Yarrowia lipolytica is a dimorphic, strictly aerobic, non-conventional yeast species that has been the subject of extensive study in recent years; its versatility and notable ability to metabolize a wide range of hydrocarbons and produce citric acid have made it a significant organism across biotechnological, medical, and ecological fields. However, despite its immense importance, its genetic diversity and geographical distribution remain poorly understood. This study addresses this gap by developing two novel Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) schemes tailored to Yarrowia lipolytica strains isolated from various geographic regions. The whole-genome and core-genome sequences of 53 Yarrowia lipolytica strains were used to assess genetic diversity and relationships among the isolates. The developed schemes demonstrated moderately high discriminatory power, revealing patterns of clustering that, in some cases, correspond with geographical origin. Apart from strain-level classification and understanding of the species’ population structure, these MLST schemes introduce Y. lipolytica as a candidate for forensic microbial typing; its environmental ubiquity, metabolic capabilities, and strain-specific genetic signatures position it as a potential forensically relevant fungal species, an area of microbial forensics that remains largely underexplored. This study provides a foundational framework for standardized, reproducible databases that serve as both practical molecular typing tools and a basis for expanding the role of fungi in microbial forensic investigations. Additionally, since the Caribbean is usually underrepresented in global microbial databases such as MLST repositories, these MLST schemes will serve as a foundational tool for introducing fungi into Caribbean microbial forensics, with applications ranging from oil-related investigations to industrial biotechnology and environmental monitoring.

Keywords: genetic diversity, geographical distribution, Microbial Forensics, Multi-Locus Sequence Typing, Yarrowia lipolytica

The author has recently completed her studies at Syracuse University and is currently employed at the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory.