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Martínez-Ruiz M, Molina-Vázquez A, Santiesteban-Romero B, Reyes-Pardo H, Villaseñor-Zepeda KR, Meléndez-Sánchez ER, Araújo RG, Sosa-Hernández JE, Bilal M, Iqbal HMN, Parra-Saldivar R. Micro-algae assisted green bioremediation of water pollutants rich leachate and source products recovery. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119422. [PMID: 35533958 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Water management and treatment are high concern fields with several challenges due to increasing pollutants produced by human activity. It is imperative to find integral solutions and strategic measures with robust remediation. Landfill leachate production is a high concern emerging problem. Especially in low middle-income countries due to no proper local waste disposition regulation and non-engineered implemented methods to dispose of urban waste. These landfills can accumulate electronic waste and release heavy metals during the degradation process. Similar phenomena include expired pharmaceuticals like antibiotics. All these pollutants accumulated in leachate made it hard to dispose of or treat. Leachate produced in non-engineered landfills can permeate soils and reach groundwater, dragging different contaminants, including antibiotics and heavy metals, which eventually can affect the environment, changing soil properties and affecting wildlife. The presence of antibiotics in the environment is a problem with particular interest to solve, mainly to avoid the development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, which represent a future risk for human health with possible epidemic implications. It has been reported that the use of contaminated water with heavy metals to produce and grow vegetables is a risk for consumers, heavy metals effects in humans can include carcinogenic induction. This work explores the opportunities to use leachate as a source of nutrients to grow microalgae. Microalgae stand out as an alternative to bioremediate leachate, at the same time, microalgae produce high-value compounds that can be used in bioplastic, biofuels, and other industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Martínez-Ruiz
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Science, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico
| | | | | | - Humberto Reyes-Pardo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Science, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico
| | | | | | - Rafael G Araújo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Science, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico
| | | | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Hafiz M N Iqbal
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Science, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico.
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2
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Singh M, Mal N, Mohapatra R, Bagchi T, Parambath SD, Chavali M, Rao KM, Ramanaiah SV, Kadier A, Kumar G, Chandrasekhar K, Kim SH. Recent biotechnological developments in reshaping the microalgal genome: A signal for green recovery in biorefinery practices. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 293:133513. [PMID: 34990720 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The use of renewable energy sources as a substitute for nonrenewable fossil fuels is urgently required. Algae biorefinery platform provides an excellent alternate to overcome future energy problems. However, to let this viable biomass be competent with existing feedstocks, it is necessary to exploit genetic manipulation and improvement in upstream and downstream platforms for optimal bio-product recovery. Furthermore, the techno-economic strategies further maximize metabolites production for biofuel, biohydrogen, and other industrial applications. The experimental methodologies in algal photobioreactor promote high biomass production, enriched in lipid and starch content in limited environmental conditions. This review presents an optimization framework combining genetic manipulation methods to simulate microalgal growth dynamics, understand the complexity of algal biorefinery to scale up, and identify green strategies for techno-economic feasibility of algae for biomass conversion. Overall, the algal biorefinery opens up new possibilities for the valorization of algae biomass and the synthesis of various novel products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Singh
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, 390002, Gujarat, India
| | - Navonil Mal
- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Reecha Mohapatra
- Department of Life Sciences, NIT Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Trisha Bagchi
- Department of Botany, West Bengal State University, Barasat, 700126, West Bengal, India
| | | | - Murthy Chavali
- Office of the Dean (Research) & Division of Chemistry, Department of Science, Faculty of Science & Technology, Alliance University (Central Campus), Chandapura-Anekal Main Road, Bengaluru, 562106, Karnataka, India; NTRC-MCETRC and 109 Nano Composite Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Guntur District, 522201, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Kummara Madhusudana Rao
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-ro, Joyeong-dong, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38541, South Korea; Department of Automotive Lighting Convergence Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-ro, Joyeong-dong, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38541, South Korea
| | - S V Ramanaiah
- Food and Biotechnology Research Lab, South Ural State University (National Research University), 454080, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation
| | - Abudukeremu Kadier
- Laboratory of Environmental Science and Technology, The Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Materials and Devices for Special Environments, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Center of Material and Opto-electronic Research, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Gopalakrishnan Kumar
- Institute of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger, 4036, Stavanger, Norway
| | - K Chandrasekhar
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang-Hyoun Kim
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Kselíková V, Singh A, Bialevich V, Čížková M, Bišová K. Improving microalgae for biotechnology - From genetics to synthetic biology - Moving forward but not there yet. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 58:107885. [PMID: 34906670 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms that can be exploited for the production of different compounds, ranging from crude biomass and biofuels to high value-added biochemicals and synthetic proteins. Traditionally, algal biotechnology relies on bioprospecting to identify new highly productive strains and more recently, on forward genetics to further enhance productivity. However, it has become clear that further improvements in algal productivity for biotechnology is impossible without combining traditional tools with the arising molecular genetics toolkit. We review recent advantages in developing high throughput screening methods, preparing genome-wide mutant libraries, and establishing genome editing techniques. We discuss how algae can be improved in terms of photosynthetic efficiency, biofuel and high value-added compound production. Finally, we critically evaluate developments over recent years and explore future potential in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Kselíková
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, 379 81 Třeboň, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Anjali Singh
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, 379 81 Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Vitali Bialevich
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, 379 81 Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Mária Čížková
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, 379 81 Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Bišová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Algatech, Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, 379 81 Třeboň, Czech Republic.
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4
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Tsai TH, Lin JY, Ng IS. Cooperation of phytoene synthase, pyridoxal kinase and carbonic anhydrase for enhancing carotenoids biosynthesis in genetic Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2021.104184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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5
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Genetic engineering of microalgae for enhanced lipid production. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 52:107836. [PMID: 34534633 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae have the potential to become microbial cell factories for lipid production. Their ability to convert sunlight and CO2 into valuable lipid compounds has attracted interest from cosmetic, biofuel, food and feed industries. In order to make microalgae-derived products cost-effective and commercially competitive, enhanced growth rates and lipid productivities are needed, which require optimization of cultivation systems and strain improvement. Advances in genetic tool development and omics technologies have increased our understanding of lipid metabolism, which has opened up possibilities for targeted metabolic engineering. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview on the developments made to genetically engineer microalgal strains over the last 30 years. We focus on the strategies that lead to an increased lipid content and altered fatty acid profile. These include the genetic engineering of the fatty acid synthesis pathway, Kennedy pathway, polyunsaturated fatty acid and triacylglycerol metabolisms and fatty acid catabolism. Moreover, genetic engineering of specific transcription factors, NADPH generation and central carbon metabolism, which lead to increase of lipid accumulation are also reviewed.
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Vavitsas K, Kugler A, Satta A, Hatzinikolaou DG, Lindblad P, Fewer DP, Lindberg P, Toivari M, Stensjö K. Doing synthetic biology with photosynthetic microorganisms. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 173:624-638. [PMID: 33963557 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The use of photosynthetic microbes as synthetic biology hosts for the sustainable production of commodity chemicals and even fuels has received increasing attention over the last decade. The number of studies published, tools implemented, and resources made available for microalgae have increased beyond expectations during the last few years. However, the tools available for genetic engineering in these organisms still lag those available for the more commonly used heterotrophic host organisms. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the photosynthetic microbes most commonly used in synthetic biology studies, namely cyanobacteria, chlorophytes, eustigmatophytes and diatoms. We provide basic information on the techniques and tools available for each model group of organisms, we outline the state-of-the-art, and we list the synthetic biology tools that have been successfully used. We specifically focus on the latest CRISPR developments, as we believe that precision editing and advanced genetic engineering tools will be pivotal to the advancement of the field. Finally, we discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of each group of organisms and examine the challenges that need to be overcome to achieve their synthetic biology potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Vavitsas
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, Athens, Greece
| | - Amit Kugler
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Satta
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dimitris G Hatzinikolaou
- Enzyme and Microbial Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou Campus, Athens, Greece
| | - Peter Lindblad
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - David P Fewer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pia Lindberg
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mervi Toivari
- VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Espoo, Finland
| | - Karin Stensjö
- Microbial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Synthetic Biology Approaches To Enhance Microalgal Productivity. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:1019-1036. [PMID: 33541719 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The major bottleneck in commercializing biofuels and other commodities produced by microalgae is the high cost associated with phototrophic cultivation. Improving microalgal productivities could be a solution to this problem. Synthetic biology methods have recently been used to engineer the downstream production pathways in several microalgal strains. However, engineering upstream photosynthetic and carbon fixation metabolism to enhance growth, productivity, and yield has barely been explored in microalgae. We describe strategies to improve the generation of reducing power from light, as well as to improve the assimilation of CO2 by either the native Calvin cycle or synthetic alternatives. Overall, we are optimistic that recent technological advances will prompt long-awaited breakthroughs in microalgal research.
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8
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Teng SY, Yew GY, Sukačová K, Show PL, Máša V, Chang JS. Microalgae with artificial intelligence: A digitalized perspective on genetics, systems and products. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 44:107631. [PMID: 32931875 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
With recent advances in novel gene-editing tools such as RNAi, ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR-Cas9, the possibility of altering microalgae toward designed properties for various application is becoming a reality. Alteration of microalgae genomes can modify metabolic pathways to give elevated yields in lipids, biomass, and other components. The potential of such genetically optimized microalgae can give a "domino effect" in further providing optimization leverages down the supply chain, in aspects such as cultivation, processing, system design, process integration, and revolutionary products. However, the current level of understanding the functional information of various microalgae gene sequences is still primitive and insufficient as microalgae genome sequences are long and complex. From this perspective, this work proposes to link up this knowledge gap between microalgae genetic information and optimized bioproducts using Artificial Intelligence (AI). With the recent acceleration of AI research, large and complex data from microalgae research can be properly analyzed by combining the cutting-edge of both fields. In this work, the most suitable class of AI algorithms (such as active learning, semi-supervised learning, and meta-learning) are discussed for different cases of microalgae applications. This work concisely reviews the current state of the research milestones and highlight some of the state-of-art that has been carried out, providing insightful future pathways. The utilization of AI algorithms in microalgae cultivation, system optimization, and other aspects of the supply chain is also discussed. This work opens the pathway to a digitalized future for microalgae research and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sin Yong Teng
- Brno University of Technology, Institute of Process Engineering, Technická 2896/2, 616 69, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Guo Yong Yew
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Kateřina Sukačová
- Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 986/4a, Brno 603 00, Czech Republic.
| | - Pau Loke Show
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Vítězslav Máša
- Brno University of Technology, Institute of Process Engineering, Technická 2896/2, 616 69, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan.
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9
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Kumar G, Shekh A, Jakhu S, Sharma Y, Kapoor R, Sharma TR. Bioengineering of Microalgae: Recent Advances, Perspectives, and Regulatory Challenges for Industrial Application. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:914. [PMID: 33014997 PMCID: PMC7494788 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae, due to their complex metabolic capacity, are being continuously explored for nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and other industrially important bioactives. However, suboptimal yield and productivity of the bioactive of interest in local and robust wild-type strains are of perennial concerns for their industrial applications. To overcome such limitations, strain improvement through genetic engineering could play a decisive role. Though the advanced tools for genetic engineering have emerged at a greater pace, they still remain underused for microalgae as compared to other microorganisms. Pertaining to this, we reviewed the progress made so far in the development of molecular tools and techniques, and their deployment for microalgae strain improvement through genetic engineering. The recent availability of genome sequences and other omics datasets form diverse microalgae species have remarkable potential to guide strategic momentum in microalgae strain improvement program. This review focuses on the recent and significant improvements in the omics resources, mutant libraries, and high throughput screening methodologies helpful to augment research in the model and non-model microalgae. Authors have also summarized the case studies on genetically engineered microalgae and highlight the opportunities and challenges that are emerging from the current progress in the application of genome-editing to facilitate microalgal strain improvement. Toward the end, the regulatory and biosafety issues in the use of genetically engineered microalgae in commercial applications are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulshan Kumar
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Ajam Shekh
- Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, India
| | - Sunaina Jakhu
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Yogesh Sharma
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Ritu Kapoor
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
| | - Tilak Raj Sharma
- Division of Crop Science, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India
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10
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Achievements and challenges of genetic engineering of the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.101986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Fayyaz M, Chew KW, Show PL, Ling TC, Ng IS, Chang JS. Genetic engineering of microalgae for enhanced biorefinery capabilities. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 43:107554. [PMID: 32437732 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae-based bioproducts are in limelight because of their promising future, novel characteristics, the current situation of population needs, and rising prices of rapidly depleting energy resources. Algae-based products are considered as clean sustainable energy and food resources. At present, they are not commercialized due to their high production cost and low yield. In recent years, novel genome editing tools like RNAi, ZNFs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas9 are used to enhance the quality and quantity of the desired products. Genetic and metabolic engineering are frequently applied because of their rapid and precise results than random mutagenesis. Omic approaches help enhance biorefinery capabilities and are now in the developing stage for algae. The future is very bright for transgenic algae with increased biomass yield, carbon dioxide uptake rate, accumulating high-value compounds, reduction in cultivation, and production costs, thus reaching the goal in the global algal market and capital flow. However, microalgae are primary producers and any harmful exposure to the wild strains can affect the entire ecosystem. Therefore, strict regulation and monitoring are required to assess the potential risks before introducing genetically modified microalgae into the natural ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmooda Fayyaz
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kit Wayne Chew
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Jalan Sunsuria, Bandar Sunsuria, 43900 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Pau Loke Show
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Tau Chuan Ling
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - I-Son Ng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan; Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan.
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12
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Kong F, Yamaoka Y, Ohama T, Lee Y, Li-Beisson Y. Molecular Genetic Tools and Emerging Synthetic Biology Strategies to Increase Cellular Oil Content in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 60:1184-1196. [PMID: 30715500 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcz022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae constitute a highly diverse group of eukaryotic and photosynthetic microorganisms that have developed extremely efficient systems for harvesting and transforming solar energy into energy-rich molecules such as lipids. Although microalgae are considered to be one of the most promising platforms for the sustainable production of liquid oil, the oil content of these organisms is naturally low, and algal oil production is currently not economically viable. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlamydomonas) is an established algal model due to its fast growth, high transformation efficiency, and well-understood physiology and to the availability of detailed genome information and versatile molecular tools for this organism. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the development of genetic manipulation tools for Chlamydomonas, from gene delivery methods to state-of-the-art genome-editing technologies and fluorescent dye-based high-throughput mutant screening approaches. Furthermore, we discuss practical strategies and toolkits that enhance transgene expression, such as choice of expression vector and background strain. We then provide examples of how advanced genetic tools have been used to increase oil content in Chlamydomonas. Collectively, the current literature indicates that microalgal oil content can be increased by overexpressing key enzymes that catalyze lipid biosynthesis, blocking lipid degradation, silencing metabolic pathways that compete with lipid biosynthesis and modulating redox state. The tools and knowledge generated through metabolic engineering studies should pave the way for developing a synthetic biological approach to enhance lipid productivity in microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fantao Kong
- Department of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Yasuyo Yamaoka
- Department of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea
| | - Takeshi Ohama
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kochi University of Technology (KUT), Tosayamada, Kochi, Japan
| | - Youngsook Lee
- Department of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea
- Department of Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea
| | - Yonghua Li-Beisson
- Aix-Marseille Univ., CEA, CNRS, BIAM, UMR7265, CEA Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez Durance F, France
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13
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Zhang YT, Jiang JY, Shi TQ, Sun XM, Zhao QY, Huang H, Ren LJ. Application of the CRISPR/Cas system for genome editing in microalgae. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:3239-3248. [PMID: 30877356 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09726-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae are arguably the most abundant single-celled eukaryotes and are widely distributed in oceans and freshwater lakes. Moreover, microalgae are widely used in biotechnology to produce bioenergy and high-value products such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), bioactive peptides, proteins, antioxidants and so on. In general, genetic editing techniques were adapted to increase the production of microalgal metabolites. The main genome editing tools available today include zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas nuclease system. Due to its high genome editing efficiency, the CRISPR/Cas system is emerging as the most important genome editing method. In this review, we summarized the available literature on the application of CRISPR/Cas in microalgal genetic engineering, including transformation methods, strategies for the expression of Cas9 and sgRNA, the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knock-in/knock-out strategies, and CRISPR interference expression modification strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Zhang
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Yi Jiang
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Qiong Shi
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Man Sun
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - Quan-Yu Zhao
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - He Huang
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 5 Xinmofan Road, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Wenyuan Road, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu-Jing Ren
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China.
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Kwon YM, Kim KW, Choi TY, Kim SY, Kim JYH. Manipulation of the microalgal chloroplast by genetic engineering for biotechnological utilization as a green biofactory. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 34:183. [PMID: 30478596 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-018-2567-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The chloroplast is an essential organelle in microalgae for conducting photosynthesis, thus enabling the photoautotrophic growth of microalgae. In addition to photosynthesis, the chloroplast is capable of various biochemical processes for the synthesis of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and terpenoids. Due to these attractive characteristics, there has been increasing interest in the biotechnological utilization of microalgal chloroplast as a sustainable alternative to the conventional production platforms used in industrial biotechnology. Since the first demonstration of microalgal chloroplast transformation, significant development has occurred over recent decades in the manipulation of microalgal chloroplasts through genetic engineering. In the present review, we describe the advantages of the microalgal chloroplast as a production platform for various bioproducts, including recombinant proteins and high-value metabolites, features of chloroplast genetic systems, and the development of transformation methods, which represent important factors for gene expression in the chloroplast. Furthermore, we address the expression of various recombinant proteins in the microalgal chloroplast through genetic engineering, including reporters, biopharmaceutical proteins, and industrial enzymes. Finally, we present many efforts and achievements in the production of high-value metabolites in the microalgal chloroplast through metabolic engineering. Based on these efforts and advances, the microalgal chloroplast represents an economically viable and sustainable platform for biotechnological applications in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Min Kwon
- Department of Applied Research, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Jangsan-ro 101-75, Seocheon, Chungcheongnamdo, 33662, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Woo Kim
- Department of Applied Research, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Jangsan-ro 101-75, Seocheon, Chungcheongnamdo, 33662, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Young Choi
- Department of Genetic Resources Research, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Jangsan-ro 101-75, Seocheon, Chungcheongnamdo, 33662, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Young Kim
- Department of Applied Research, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Jangsan-ro 101-75, Seocheon, Chungcheongnamdo, 33662, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaoon Young Hwan Kim
- Department of Applied Research, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Jangsan-ro 101-75, Seocheon, Chungcheongnamdo, 33662, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Jiang WZ, Weeks DP. A gene-within-a-gene Cas9/sgRNA hybrid construct enables gene editing and gene replacement strategies in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ALGAL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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16
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Banerjee A, Banerjee C, Negi S, Chang JS, Shukla P. Improvements in algal lipid production: a systems biology and gene editing approach. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2017; 38:369-385. [DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2017.1356803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Avik Banerjee
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, India
| | - Chiranjib Banerjee
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, India
| | | | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pratyoosh Shukla
- Department of Microbiology, Enzyme Technology and Protein Bioinformatics Laboratory, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
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17
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Chen B, Lee K, Plucinak T, Duanmu D, Wang Y, Horken KM, Weeks DP, Spalding MH. A novel activation domain is essential for CIA5-mediated gene regulation in response to CO2 changes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ALGAL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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18
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Cisgenesis and intragenesis in microalgae: promising advancements towards sustainable metabolites production. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:10225-10235. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7948-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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19
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Current advances in molecular, biochemical, and computational modeling analysis of microalgal triacylglycerol biosynthesis. Biotechnol Adv 2016; 34:1046-1063. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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20
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Baek K, Kim DH, Jeong J, Sim SJ, Melis A, Kim JS, Jin E, Bae S. DNA-free two-gene knockout in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii via CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins. Sci Rep 2016; 6:30620. [PMID: 27466170 PMCID: PMC4964356 DOI: 10.1038/srep30620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae are versatile organisms capable of converting CO2, H2O, and sunlight into fuel and chemicals for domestic and industrial consumption. Thus, genetic modifications of microalgae for enhancing photosynthetic productivity, and biomass and bio-products generation are crucial for both academic and industrial applications. However, targeted mutagenesis in microalgae with CRISPR-Cas9 is limited. Here we report, a one-step transformation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by the DNA-free CRISPR-Cas9 method rather than plasmids that encode Cas9 and guide RNAs. Outcome was the sequential CpFTSY and ZEP two-gene knockout and the generation of a strain constitutively producing zeaxanthin and showing improved photosynthetic productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwangryul Baek
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Duk Hyoung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jooyeon Jeong
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Jun Sim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Anastasios Melis
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3102, USA
| | - Jin-Soo Kim
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - EonSeon Jin
- Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sangsu Bae
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
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21
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Oey M, Sawyer AL, Ross IL, Hankamer B. Challenges and opportunities for hydrogen production from microalgae. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2016; 14:1487-99. [PMID: 26801871 PMCID: PMC5066674 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The global population is predicted to increase from ~7.3 billion to over 9 billion people by 2050. Together with rising economic growth, this is forecast to result in a 50% increase in fuel demand, which will have to be met while reducing carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions by 50-80% to maintain social, political, energy and climate security. This tension between rising fuel demand and the requirement for rapid global decarbonization highlights the need to fast-track the coordinated development and deployment of efficient cost-effective renewable technologies for the production of CO2 neutral energy. Currently, only 20% of global energy is provided as electricity, while 80% is provided as fuel. Hydrogen (H2 ) is the most advanced CO2 -free fuel and provides a 'common' energy currency as it can be produced via a range of renewable technologies, including photovoltaic (PV), wind, wave and biological systems such as microalgae, to power the next generation of H2 fuel cells. Microalgae production systems for carbon-based fuel (oil and ethanol) are now at the demonstration scale. This review focuses on evaluating the potential of microalgal technologies for the commercial production of solar-driven H2 from water. It summarizes key global technology drivers, the potential and theoretical limits of microalgal H2 production systems, emerging strategies to engineer next-generation systems and how these fit into an evolving H2 economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Oey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | | | - Ian Lawrence Ross
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Ben Hankamer
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
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22
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Guihéneuf F, Khan A, Tran LSP. Genetic Engineering: A Promising Tool to Engender Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Stress Resilience in Green Microalgae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:400. [PMID: 27066043 PMCID: PMC4815356 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
As we march into the 21st century, the prevailing scenario of depleting energy resources, global warming and ever increasing issues of human health and food security will quadruple. In this context, genetic and metabolic engineering of green microalgae complete the quest toward a continuum of environmentally clean fuel and food production. Evolutionarily related, but unlike land plants, microalgae need nominal land or water, and are best described as unicellular autotrophs using light energy to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) into algal biomass, mitigating fossil CO2 pollution in the process. Remarkably, a feature innate to most microalgae is synthesis and accumulation of lipids (60-65% of dry weight), carbohydrates and secondary metabolites like pigments and vitamins, especially when grown under abiotic stress conditions. Particularly fruitful, such an application of abiotic stress factors such as nitrogen starvation, salinity, heat shock, etc., can be used in a biorefinery concept for production of multiple valuable products. The focus of this mini-review underlies metabolic reorientation practices and tolerance mechanisms as applied to green microalgae under specific stress stimuli for a sustainable pollution-free future. Moreover, we entail current progress on genetic engineering as a promising tool to grasp adaptive processes for improving strains with potential biotechnological interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy Guihéneuf
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland GalwayGalway, Ireland
| | - Asif Khan
- Research Group Germline Biology, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg UniversityHeidelberg, Germany
| | - Lam-Son P. Tran
- Plant Abiotic Stress Research Group & Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang UniversityHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Signaling Pathway Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource ScienceTsurumi, Japan
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23
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Liu W, Stewart CN. Plant synthetic promoters and transcription factors. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2016; 37:36-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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24
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Weeks DP, Spalding MH, Yang B. Use of designer nucleases for targeted gene and genome editing in plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2016; 14:483-95. [PMID: 26261084 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 06/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The ability to efficiently inactivate or replace genes in model organisms allowed a rapid expansion of our understanding of many of the genetic, biochemical, molecular and cellular mechanisms that support life. With the advent of new techniques for manipulating genes and genomes that are applicable not only to single-celled organisms, but also to more complex organisms such as animals and plants, the speed with which scientists and biotechnologists can expand fundamental knowledge and apply that knowledge to improvements in medicine, industry and agriculture is set to expand in an exponential fashion. At the heart of these advancements will be the use of gene editing tools such as zinc finger nucleases, modified meganucleases, hybrid DNA/RNA oligonucleotides, TAL effector nucleases and modified CRISPR/Cas9. Each of these tools has the ability to precisely target one specific DNA sequence within a genome and (except for DNA/RNA oligonucleotides) to create a double-stranded DNA break. DNA repair to such breaks sometimes leads to gene knockouts or gene replacement by homologous recombination if exogenously supplied homologous DNA fragments are made available. Genome rearrangements are also possible to engineer. Creation and use of such genome rearrangements, gene knockouts and gene replacements by the plant science community is gaining significant momentum. To document some of this progress and to explore the technology's longer term potential, this review highlights present and future uses of designer nucleases to greatly expedite research with model plant systems and to engineer genes and genomes in major and minor crop species for enhanced food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald P Weeks
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Martin H Spalding
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Bing Yang
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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25
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Gimpel JA, Henríquez V, Mayfield SP. In Metabolic Engineering of Eukaryotic Microalgae: Potential and Challenges Come with Great Diversity. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1376. [PMID: 26696985 PMCID: PMC4678203 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The great phylogenetic diversity of microalgae is corresponded by a wide arrange of interesting and useful metabolites. Nonetheless metabolic engineering in microalgae has been limited, since specific transformation tools must be developed for each species for either the nuclear or chloroplast genomes. Microalgae as production platforms for metabolites offer several advantages over plants and other microorganisms, like the ability of GMO containment and reduced costs in culture media, respectively. Currently, microalgae have proved particularly well suited for the commercial production of omega-3 fatty acids and carotenoids. Therefore most metabolic engineering strategies have been developed for these metabolites. Microalgal biofuels have also drawn great attention recently, resulting in efforts for improving the production of hydrogen and photosynthates, particularly triacylglycerides. Metabolic pathways of microalgae have also been manipulated in order to improve photosynthetic growth under specific conditions and for achieving trophic conversion. Although these pathways are not strictly related to secondary metabolites, the synthetic biology approaches could potentially be translated to this field and will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier A Gimpel
- Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering Department, Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Universidad de Chile Santiago, Chile
| | - Vitalia Henríquez
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Stephen P Mayfield
- Division of Biological Sciences, California Center for Algae Biotechnology, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
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26
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Mussgnug JH. Genetic tools and techniques for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:5407-18. [PMID: 26025017 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6698-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The development of tools has always been a major driving force for the advancement of science. Optical microscopes were the first instruments that allowed discovery and descriptive studies of the subcellular features of microorganisms. Although optical and electron microscopes remained at the forefront of microbiological research tools since their inventions, the advent of molecular genetics brought about questions which had to be addressed with new "genetic tools". The unicellular green microalgal genus Chlamydomonas, especially the most prominent species C. reinhardtii, has become a frequently used model organism for many diverse fields of research and molecular genetic analyses of C. reinhardtii, as well as the available genetic tools and techniques, have become increasingly sophisticated throughout the last decades. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the molecular key features of C. reinhardtii and summarize the progress related to the development of tools and techniques for genetic engineering of this organism, from pioneering DNA transformation experiments to state-of-the-art techniques for targeted nuclear genome editing and high-throughput screening approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan H Mussgnug
- Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany,
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27
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Jinkerson RE, Jonikas MC. Molecular techniques to interrogate and edit the Chlamydomonas nuclear genome. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 82:393-412. [PMID: 25704665 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The success of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a model organism is to a large extent due to the wide range of molecular techniques that are available for its characterization. Here, we review some of the techniques currently used to modify and interrogate the C. reinhardtii nuclear genome and explore several technologies under development. Nuclear mutants can be generated with ultraviolet (UV) light and chemical mutagens, or by insertional mutagenesis. Nuclear transformation methods include biolistic delivery, agitation with glass beads, and electroporation. Transforming DNA integrates into the genome at random sites, and multiple strategies exist for mapping insertion sites. A limited number of studies have demonstrated targeted modification of the nuclear genome by approaches such as zinc-finger nucleases and homologous recombination. RNA interference is widely used to knock down expression levels of nuclear genes. A wide assortment of transgenes has been successfully expressed in the Chlamydomonas nuclear genome, including transformation markers, fluorescent proteins, reporter genes, epitope tagged proteins, and even therapeutic proteins. Optimized expression constructs and strains help transgene expression. Emerging technologies such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system, high-throughput mutant identification, and a whole-genome knockout library are being developed for this organism. We discuss how these advances will propel future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Jinkerson
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, 260 Panama Street, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Martin C Jonikas
- Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, 260 Panama Street, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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28
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Scranton MA, Ostrand JT, Fields FJ, Mayfield SP. Chlamydomonas as a model for biofuels and bio-products production. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 82:523-531. [PMID: 25641390 PMCID: PMC5531182 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Developing renewable energy sources is critical to maintaining the economic growth of the planet while protecting the environment. First generation biofuels focused on food crops like corn and sugarcane for ethanol production, and soybean and palm for biodiesel production. Second generation biofuels based on cellulosic ethanol produced from terrestrial plants, has received extensive funding and recently pilot facilities have been commissioned, but to date output of fuels from these sources has fallen well short of what is needed. Recent research and pilot demonstrations have highlighted the potential of algae as one of the most promising sources of sustainable liquid transportation fuels. Algae have also been established as unique biofactories for industrial, therapeutic, and nutraceutical co-products. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii's long established role in the field of basic research in green algae has paved the way for understanding algal metabolism and developing genetic engineering protocols. These tools are now being utilized in C. reinhardtii and in other algal species for the development of strains to maximize biofuels and bio-products yields from the lab to the field.
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29
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Scaife MA, Nguyen GTDT, Rico J, Lambert D, Helliwell KE, Smith AG. Establishing Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as an industrial biotechnology host. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 82:532-546. [PMID: 25641561 PMCID: PMC4515103 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae constitute a diverse group of eukaryotic unicellular organisms that are of interest for pure and applied research. Owing to their natural synthesis of value-added natural products microalgae are emerging as a source of sustainable chemical compounds, proteins and metabolites, including but not limited to those that could replace compounds currently made from fossil fuels. For the model microalga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, this has prompted a period of rapid development so that this organism is poised for exploitation as an industrial biotechnology platform. The question now is how best to achieve this? Highly advanced industrial biotechnology systems using bacteria and yeasts were established in a classical metabolic engineering manner over several decades. However, the advent of advanced molecular tools and the rise of synthetic biology provide an opportunity to expedite the development of C. reinhardtii as an industrial biotechnology platform, avoiding the process of incremental improvement. In this review we describe the current status of genetic manipulation of C. reinhardtii for metabolic engineering. We then introduce several concepts that underpin synthetic biology, and show how generic parts are identified and used in a standard manner to achieve predictable outputs. Based on this we suggest that the development of C. reinhardtii as an industrial biotechnology platform can be achieved more efficiently through adoption of a synthetic biology approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Scaife
- Department of Plant Science, University of CambridgeDowning Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
- *For correspondence (e-mails or )
| | - Ginnie TDT Nguyen
- Department of Plant Science, University of CambridgeDowning Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Juan Rico
- Department of Plant Science, University of CambridgeDowning Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Devinn Lambert
- Department of Plant Science, University of CambridgeDowning Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Katherine E Helliwell
- Department of Plant Science, University of CambridgeDowning Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Alison G Smith
- Department of Plant Science, University of CambridgeDowning Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
- *For correspondence (e-mails or )
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30
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Gao H, Wang Y, Fei X, Wright DA, Spalding MH. Expression activation and functional analysis of HLA3, a putative inorganic carbon transporter in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 82:1-11. [PMID: 25660294 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) is a key component of the carbon assimilation strategy of aquatic microalgae. Induced by limiting CO2 and tightly regulated, the CCM enables these microalgae to respond rapidly to varying environmental CO2 supplies and to perform photosynthetic CO2 assimilation in a cost-effective way. A functional CCM in eukaryotic algae requires Rubisco sequestration, rapid interconversion between CO2 and HCO3(-) catalyzed by carbonic anhydrases (CAs), and active inorganic carbon (Ci) uptake. In the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a membrane protein HLA3 is proposed to be involved in active Ci uptake across the plasma membrane. In this study, we use an artificially designed transcription activator-like effector (dTALE) to activate the expression of HLA3. The successful activation of HLA3 expression demonstrates dTALE as a promising tool for gene-specific activation and investigation of gene function in Chlamydomonas. Activation of HLA3 expression in high CO2 acclimated cells, where HLA3 is not expressed, resulted in increased Ci accumulation and Ci-dependent photosynthetic O2 evolution specifically in very low CO2 concentrations, which confirms that HLA3 is indeed involved in Ci uptake, and suggests it is mainly associated with HCO3(-) transport in very low CO2 concentrations, conditions in which active CO2 uptake is highly limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Gao
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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