Towards developing algal synthetic biology

Abstract

The genetic, physiological and metabolic diversity of microalgae has driven fundamental research into photosynthesis, flagella structure and function, and eukaryotic evolution. Within the last 10 years these organisms have also been investigated as potential biotechnology platforms, for example to produce high value compounds such as long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, pigments and antioxidants, and for biodiesel precursors, in particular triacylglycerols (TAGs). Transformation protocols, molecular tools and genome sequences are available for a number of model species including the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, although for both species there are bottlenecks to be overcome to allow rapid and predictable genetic manipulation. One approach to do this would be to apply the principles of synthetic biology to microalgae, namely the cycle of Design-Build-Test, which requires more robust, predictable and high throughput methods. In this mini-review we highlight recent progress in the areas of improving transgene expression, genome editing, identification and design of standard genetic elements (parts), and the use of microfluidics to increase throughput. We suggest that combining these approaches will provide the means to establish algal synthetic biology, and that application of standard parts and workflows will avoid parallel development and capitalize on lessons learned from other systems.

High‐throughput droplet microfluidics screening platform for selecting fast‐growing and high lipid‐producing microalgae from a mutant library

“…For example, only rare strains carrying multiple desirable mutations might deliver an optimal strain profile. The ability to screen in this manner, coupled to high‐throughput sequencing of either insertional mutant tags (Li et al., ) or whole genomes (Gallaher, Fitz‐Gibbon, Glaesener, Pellegrini, & Merchant, ), opens the door to rapid strain improvement, which itself could be used as a platform for further metabolic engineering (Scaife & Smith, ).…”

Advances and challenges in genetic engineering of microalgae

“…; Klein‐Marcuschamer et al . ; Scaife & Smith ). Although these challenges can be addressed with the current genetic and molecular toolkits, the adoption of synthetic biology principles can accelerate the cumbersome process of strain development and optimization (Moses et al .…”

“…However, being photosynthetic and being able to fix carbon from inorganic sources, their cultivation is in principle more sustainable than that of heterotrophic systems; although it is essential to carry out life cycle assessment for any particular process (Kazamia & Smith 2014). Before the cultivation of engineered strains on very large scales needed for economically profitable production, many challenges have to be overcome (Scott et al 2010;Klein-Marcuschamer et al 2013;Scaife & Smith 2016). Although these challenges can be addressed with the current genetic and molecular toolkits, the adoption of synthetic biology principles can accelerate the cumbersome process of strain development and optimization (Moses et al 2017).…”

Современные Тенденции Развития Биологии Водных Экосистем

“…Интересно, что большинство новых для диатомей оксилипинов, которые были ранее описаны для наземных растений, в настоящее время исследуют в качестве лекарств для лечения заболеваний человека, вызванных патогенными организмами [45]. Отмечая прогресс в изучении микроводорослей и их значимость в прикладном аспекте, а также руководствуясь принципами синтетической биологии, предложено развивать синтетическую биологию водорослей [58]. Применение алгоритмов моделиро-вания имеет важное практическое значение для биотехнологии, биоэнергетики и биоремедиации, т. к. позволяет целенаправленно создавать многовидовые микробные сообщества с определёнными функ-циями и прогнозируемым поведением [39].…”