Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Synergistic enhancement of microalgal fatty acids via Batch Bayesian Optimization-driven combinatorial additive engineering.

Bioresource technology·2026

Same author

A novel acyltransferase-centered engineering strategy enables coordinated production of DHA, EPA, and ARA in Schizochytrium.

Bioresource technology·2026

Same author

Suppressing Glycerol-3-phosphate Phosphatase and Enhancing Glycerol-3-Phosphate Shuttle Flux Crucial for High-Efficiency Fatty Acid Production in the Fast-Growing Oleaginous Schizochytrium.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025

Same author

[Effects of exogenous additives on growth and high-value bioproducts accumulation of microalgae].

Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology·2025

Same author

Chassis engineering for high light tolerance in microalgae and cyanobacteria.

Critical reviews in biotechnology·2024

Same author

Overexpression of S-R enhances the accumulation of biomass, fatty acids, and β-carotene in Schizochytrium.

Bioresource technology·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Published on: October 1, 2013

Engineering Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Microalgae: Recent Progress and Perspectives.

Yanhui Song^1,2, Fangzhong Wang^1,2,3, Lei Chen^1,2

¹Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.

|May 24, 2024

Summary

Improving microalgal lipid production is key for cost-effective biodiesel and supplements. Metabolic and transcription factor engineering strategies are advancing lipid productivity in eukaryotic microalgae.

Keywords:

fatty acid biosynthetic pathway genetic engineering lipid production microalgae transcription factor transcriptional regulation

More Related Videos

Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids

Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids

Published on: January 7, 2019

Experimental Protocol for Biodiesel Production with Isolation of Alkenones as Coproducts from Commercial Isochrysis Algal Biomass

Experimental Protocol for Biodiesel Production with Isolation of Alkenones as Coproducts from Commercial Isochrysis Algal Biomass

Published on: June 24, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Published on: October 1, 2013

Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids

Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids

Published on: January 7, 2019

Experimental Protocol for Biodiesel Production with Isolation of Alkenones as Coproducts from Commercial Isochrysis Algal Biomass

Experimental Protocol for Biodiesel Production with Isolation of Alkenones as Coproducts from Commercial Isochrysis Algal Biomass

Published on: June 24, 2016

Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Synthetic Biology
Algal Biotechnology

Background:

Microalgal lipids are valuable for biodiesel and dietary supplements.
Enhancing microalgal lipid productivity is crucial for commercial viability.
Current limitations necessitate advanced engineering strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in engineering the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway in eukaryotic microalgae.
To explore transcriptional regulatory mechanisms and transcription factor engineering for enhanced lipid production.
To discuss challenges and future directions in microalgal lipid production.

Main Methods:

Metabolic engineering targeting key enzymes in fatty acid synthesis.
Transcription factor engineering to modulate lipid biosynthesis.
Review of literature on eukaryotic microalgal lipid production over the past 5 years.

Main Results:

Significant progress has been made in engineering fatty acid synthesis pathways.
Transcription factor engineering shows promise for boosting lipid accumulation.
The review consolidates recent findings and identifies key research trends.

Conclusions:

Metabolic and transcription factor engineering are effective strategies for improving microalgal lipid productivity.
Further research is needed to overcome challenges and optimize microalgal lipid production for industrial applications.
Future perspectives focus on sustainable and efficient lipid extraction and utilization.