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Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Genetic engineering of microalgae for enhanced lipid production
Camilo F Muñoz1, Christian Südfeld1, Mihris I S Naduthodi2
1Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Biotechnology Advances
|September 17, 2021
Summary
Microalgae can be engineered into efficient microbial cell factories for lipid production. Genetic engineering strategies over 30 years have significantly improved microalgal growth and lipid accumulation for industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Synthetic Biology
- Microalgal Cultivation
Background:
- Microalgae are promising microbial cell factories for sustainable lipid production.
- Industrial applications in cosmetics, biofuels, food, and feed drive the need for enhanced microalgal lipid yields.
- Optimizing cultivation and strain improvement are crucial for cost-effective microalgae-derived products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of genetic engineering strategies in microalgae over the past 30 years.
- To highlight methods for increasing lipid content and modifying fatty acid profiles in microalgal strains.
- To discuss advancements in metabolic engineering for enhanced lipid accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of genetic engineering techniques applied to microalgal strains.
- Analysis of strategies targeting fatty acid synthesis, Kennedy pathway, and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism.
- Examination of genetic modifications in transcription factors, NADPH generation, and central carbon metabolism.
Main Results:
- Genetic engineering has successfully increased lipid content and altered fatty acid profiles in microalgae.
- Targeted modifications of metabolic pathways significantly enhance lipid accumulation.
- Advances in omics technologies and genetic tools facilitate precise metabolic engineering.
Conclusions:
- Genetic engineering offers powerful tools to optimize microalgae as lipid-producing cell factories.
- Continued research in metabolic engineering and strain improvement is essential for commercial viability.
- Microalgal biotechnology holds significant potential for sustainable production of valuable lipids.
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