Genetic Engineering Approaches Used to Increase Lipid Production and Alter Lipid Profile in Microbes

Microbial production of lipids provides important alternative sources for a variety of fine chemicals and fuels. With the development of biotechnology, genetic engineering approaches are widely used to increase lipid production in microbes, as well as to alter the lipid profile with unique physicochemical properties. In this chapter, based on the well-known information of de novo lipid accumulation mechanisms in microbes, genetic engineering strategies at the direction of increased supply of substrates, regulation of lipid synthesis pathway, regulation of lipid catabolic pathway, and regulation of lipid profiles are described. These methods provide promising insights to promote the optimization of lipid accumulation and properties.