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Microalgae as bioreactors
Tara L Walker1, Saul Purton, Douglas K Becker
1Cluster for Molecular Biotechnology, Science Research Centre and CRC for Diagnostics, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia.
Plant Cell Reports
|September 2, 2005
Summary
Microalgae are promising bioreactors for producing valuable compounds and therapeutic proteins. Advances in microalgal biotechnology and transformation are enabling their use in commercial applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Phycology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Microalgae are natural sources of valuable macromolecules like carotenoids and fatty acids.
- Their photoautotrophic nature and simple growth requirements make them attractive for bioproduction.
- The field of transgenic microalgae is emerging due to challenges in creating stable transformants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review microalgal biotechnology progress.
- To compare commercially viable microalgal bioreactor systems.
- To discuss the potential of microalgae for heterologous protein production.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on microalgal biotechnology.
- Comparison of different microalgal bioreactor systems.
- Analysis of recent advancements in microalgal transformation techniques.
Main Results:
- Several microalgal species can now be routinely transformed.
- Algal biotechnology companies are exploring recombinant protein synthesis.
- Metabolic pathway engineering is being investigated for enhanced compound production.
Conclusions:
- Microalgae show significant potential as cost-effective bioreactors.
- Further development in transformation techniques is crucial for realizing this potential.
- Microalgae can be engineered for producing high-value heterologous proteins and other compounds.