Droplet-based microfluidic screening and sorting of microalgal populations for strain engineering applications

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microfluidics
• Algal Research

Background:

• Microfluidic technologies offer precise control over the extracellular environment for microalgal research.
• High-throughput analysis of dynamic cellular processes in microalgae is crucial for advancing research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a droplet-based microfluidic method for analyzing and screening microalgae.
• To integrate this method into a genetic transformation workflow for improved efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Encapsulation of single microalgal cells (Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Nannochloropsis gaditana) in picolitre droplets.
• Quantification of chlorophyll fluorescence intensity for phenotypic assessment.
• Distinguishing and sorting engineered cells expressing green fluorescent protein from wild-type cells.

Main Results:

• Successfully identified Phaeodactylum tricornutum populations based on chlorophyll fluorescence under different light conditions.
• Demonstrated the ability to distinguish and sort genetically modified (green fluorescent protein expressing) Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Nannochloropsis gaditana cells.
• Validated the method as a rapid screen for transformed algal cells.

Conclusions:

• The droplet-based microfluidic method provides a high-throughput and efficient approach for microalgal analysis and screening.
• This technology significantly bypasses bottlenecks in algal genetic transformation workflows.
• Offers a valuable alternative strategy for identifying genetically modified microalgal strains.