In Vitro Culture, Genetic Transformation and the Production of Biopharmaceuticals in Microalgae

Microalgae represent a promising platform for the synthesis of recombinant proteins, particularly in the context of biopharmaceutical applications. Their unique combination of eukaryotic cellular machinery and prokaryotic-like simplicity offers several advantages, including the ability to perform complex post-translational modifications, rapid growth rates, and cost-effective culture conditions. Advances in genome sequencing, genetic engineering tools, and omics technologies have significantly enhanced the feasibility and efficiency of using microalgae for therapeutic protein production. These advancements, coupled with the development of well-established transformation methods and optimized vectors, have enabled the successful expression of various biopharmaceuticals, ranging from vaccines to enzymes. Here, the main stages and current status of the production of exogenic recombinant proteins dedicated to human therapy are presented.