Iterative screening methodology enables isolation of strains with improved properties for a FACS-based screen and increased L-DOPA production.

Optimizing microbial hosts for the large-scale production of valuable metabolites often requires multiple mutations and modifications to the host's genome. We describe a three-round screen for increased L-DOPA production in S. cerevisiae using FACS enrichment of an enzyme-coupled biosensor for L-DOPA.