1
|
Xie X, Jaleel A, Zhan J, Ren M. Microalgae: towards human health from urban areas to space missions. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1419157. [PMID: 39220018 PMCID: PMC11361926 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1419157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Space exploration and interstellar migration are important strategies for long-term human survival. However, extreme environmental conditions, such as space radiation and microgravity, can cause adverse effects, including DNA damage, cerebrovascular disease, osteoporosis, and muscle atrophy, which would require prophylactic and remedial treatment en route. Production of oral drugs in situ is therefore critical for interstellar travel and can be achieved through industrial production utilizing microalgae, which offers high production efficiency, edibility, resource minimization, adaptability, stress tolerance, and genetic manipulation ease. Synthetic biological techniques using microalgae as a chassis offer several advantages in producing natural products, including availability of biosynthetic precursors, potential for synthesizing natural metabolites, superior quality and efficiency, environmental protection, and sustainable development. This article explores the advantages of bioproduction from microalgal chassis using synthetic biological techniques, suitability of microalgal bioreactor-based cell factories for producing value-added natural metabolites, and prospects and applications of microalgae in interstellar travel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiulan Xie
- Laboratory of Space Biology, Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, China
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Abdul Jaleel
- Department of Integrative Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jiasui Zhan
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maozhi Ren
- Laboratory of Space Biology, Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, China
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Koehle AP, Brumwell SL, Seto EP, Lynch AM, Urbaniak C. Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:47. [PMID: 37344487 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
With the construction of the International Space Station, humans have been continuously living and working in space for 22 years. Microbial studies in space and other extreme environments on Earth have shown the ability for bacteria and fungi to adapt and change compared to "normal" conditions. Some of these changes, like biofilm formation, can impact astronaut health and spacecraft integrity in a negative way, while others, such as a propensity for plastic degradation, can promote self-sufficiency and sustainability in space. With the next era of space exploration upon us, which will see crewed missions to the Moon and Mars in the next 10 years, incorporating microbiology research into planning, decision-making, and mission design will be paramount to ensuring success of these long-duration missions. These can include astronaut microbiome studies to protect against infections, immune system dysfunction and bone deterioration, or biological in situ resource utilization (bISRU) studies that incorporate microbes to act as radiation shields, create electricity and establish robust plant habitats for fresh food and recycling of waste. In this review, information will be presented on the beneficial use of microbes in bioregenerative life support systems, their applicability to bISRU, and their capability to be genetically engineered for biotechnological space applications. In addition, we discuss the negative effect microbes and microbial communities may have on long-duration space travel and provide mitigation strategies to reduce their impact. Utilizing the benefits of microbes, while understanding their limitations, will help us explore deeper into space and develop sustainable human habitats on the Moon, Mars and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison P Koehle
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie L Brumwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Anne M Lynch
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Camilla Urbaniak
- ZIN Technologies Inc, Middleburg Heights, OH, USA.
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim JH, Dubey SK, Hwangbo K, Chung BY, Lee SS, Lee S. Application of ionizing radiation as an elicitor to enhance the growth and metabolic activities in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1087070. [PMID: 36890890 PMCID: PMC9986495 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1087070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a eukaryotic, unicellular photosynthetic organism and a potential algal platform for producing biomass and recombinant proteins for industrial use. Ionizing radiation is a potent genotoxic and mutagenic agent used for algal mutation breeding that induces various DNA damage and repair responses. In this study, however, we explored the counterintuitive bioeffects of ionizing radiation, such as X- and γ-rays, and its potential as an elicitor to facilitate batch or fed-batch cultivation of Chlamydomonas cells. A certain dose range of X- and γ-rays was shown to stimulate the growth and metabolite production of Chlamydomonas cells. X- or γ-irradiation with relatively low doses below 10 Gy substantially increased chlorophyll, protein, starch, and lipid content as well as growth and photosynthetic activity in Chlamydomonas cells without inducing apoptotic cell death. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated the radiation-induced changes in DNA damage response (DDR) and various metabolic pathways with the dose-dependent expression of some DDR genes, such as CrRPA30, CrFEN1, CrKU, CrRAD51, CrOASTL2, CrGST2, and CrRPA70A. However, the overall transcriptomic changes were not causally associated with growth stimulation and/or enhanced metabolic activities. Nevertheless, the radiation-induced growth stimulation was strongly enhanced by repetitive X-irradiation and/or subsequent cultivation with an inorganic carbon source, i.e., NaHCO3, but was significantly inhibited by treatment of ascorbic acid, a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The optimal dose range of X-irradiation for growth stimulation differed by genotype and radiation sensitivity. Here, we suggest that ionizing radiation within a certain dose range determined by genotype-dependent radiation sensitivity could induce growth stimulation and enhance metabolic activities, including photosynthesis, chlorophyll, protein, starch, and lipid synthesis in Chlamydomonas cells via ROS signaling. The counterintuitive benefits of a genotoxic and abiotic stress factor, i.e., ionizing radiation, in a unicellular algal organism, i.e., Chlamydomonas, may be explained by epigenetic stress memory or priming effects associated with ROS-mediated metabolic remodeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Hong Kim
- Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiation Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Shubham Kumar Dubey
- Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiation Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwon Hwangbo
- Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Yeoup Chung
- Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Sik Lee
- Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiation Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungbeom Lee
- Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiation Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vidal‐Meireles A, Kuntam S, Széles E, Tóth D, Neupert J, Bock R, Tóth SZ. The lifetime of the oxygen-evolving complex subunit PSBO depends on light intensity and carbon availability in Chlamydomonas. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:422-439. [PMID: 36320098 PMCID: PMC10100022 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PSBO is essential for the assembly of the oxygen-evolving complex in plants and green algae. Despite its importance, we lack essential information on its lifetime and how it depends on the environmental conditions. We have generated nitrate-inducible PSBO amiRNA lines in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Transgenic strains grew normally under non-inducing conditions, and their photosynthetic performance was comparable to the control strain. Upon induction of the PSBO amiRNA constructs, cell division halted. In acetate-containing medium, cellular PSBO protein levels decreased by 60% within 24 h in the dark, by 75% in moderate light, and in high light, the protein completely degraded. Consequently, the photosynthetic apparatus became strongly damaged, probably due to 'donor-side-induced photoinhibition', and cellular ultrastructure was also severely affected. However, in the absence of acetate during induction, PSBO was remarkably stable at all light intensities and less substantial changes occurred in photosynthesis. Our results demonstrate that the lifetime of PSBO strongly depends on the light intensity and carbon availability, and thus, on the metabolic status of the cells. We also confirm that PSBO is required for photosystem II stability in C. reinhardtii and demonstrate that its specific loss also entails substantial changes in cell morphology and cell cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André Vidal‐Meireles
- Laboratory for Molecular Photobioenergetics, Biological Research CentreInstitute of Plant BiologySzegedHungary
- Present address:
Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology (IBBP), Westfälische Wilhelms‐Universität Münster (WWU)MünsterGermany
| | - Soujanya Kuntam
- Laboratory for Molecular Photobioenergetics, Biological Research CentreInstitute of Plant BiologySzegedHungary
| | - Eszter Széles
- Laboratory for Molecular Photobioenergetics, Biological Research CentreInstitute of Plant BiologySzegedHungary
- Doctoral School of BiologyUniversity of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Dávid Tóth
- Laboratory for Molecular Photobioenergetics, Biological Research CentreInstitute of Plant BiologySzegedHungary
- Doctoral School of BiologyUniversity of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Juliane Neupert
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Ralph Bock
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Szilvia Z. Tóth
- Laboratory for Molecular Photobioenergetics, Biological Research CentreInstitute of Plant BiologySzegedHungary
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen Y, Liang H, Du H, Jesumani V, He W, Cheong KL, Li T, Hong T. Industry chain and challenges of microalgal food industry-a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:4789-4816. [PMID: 36377724 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2145455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Currently, the whole world is facing hunger due to the increase in the global population and the rising level of food consumption. Unfortunately, the impact of environmental, climate, and political issues on agriculture has resulted in limited global food resources. Thus, it is important to develop new food sources that are environmentally friendly and not subject to climate or space limitations. Microalgae represent a potential source of nutrients and bioactive components for a wide range of high-value products. Advances in cultivation and genetic engineering techniques provide prospective approaches to widen their application for food. However, there are currently problems in the microalgae food industry in terms of assessing nutritional value, selecting processes for microalgae culture, obtaining suitable commercial strains of microalgae, etc. Additionally, the limitations of real data of market opportunities for microalgae make it difficult to assess their actual potential and to develop a better industrial chain. This review addresses the current status of the microalgae food industry, the process of commercializing microalgae food and breeding methods. Current research progress in addressing the limitations of microalgae industrialization and future prospects for developing microalgae food products are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- STU-UNIVPM Joint Algal Research Center, Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Honghao Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- STU-UNIVPM Joint Algal Research Center, Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Du
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- STU-UNIVPM Joint Algal Research Center, Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Valentina Jesumani
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weiling He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- STU-UNIVPM Joint Algal Research Center, Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kit-Leong Cheong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tangcheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- STU-UNIVPM Joint Algal Research Center, Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ting Hong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- STU-UNIVPM Joint Algal Research Center, Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bioenergy, Biofuels, Lipids and Pigments—Research Trends in the Use of Microalgae Grown in Photobioreactors. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15155357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
This scientometric review and bibliometric analysis aimed to characterize trends in scientific research related to algae, photobioreactors and astaxanthin. Scientific articles published between 1995 and 2020 in the Web of Science and Scopus bibliographic databases were analyzed. The article presents the number of scientific articles in particular years and according to the publication type (e.g., articles, reviews and books). The most productive authors were selected in terms of the number of publications, the number of citations, the impact factor, affiliated research units and individual countries. Based on the number of keyword occurrences and a content analysis of 367 publications, seven leading areas of scientific interest (clusters) were identified: (1) techno-economic profitability of biofuels, bioenergy and pigment production in microalgae biorefineries, (2) the impact of the construction of photobioreactors and process parameters on the efficiency of microalgae cultivation, (3) strategies for increasing the amount of obtained lipids and obtaining biodiesel in Chlorella microalgae cultivation, (4) the production of astaxanthin on an industrial scale using Haematococcus microalgae, (5) the productivity of biomass and the use of alternative carbon sources in microalgae culture, (6) the effect of light and carbon dioxide conversion on biomass yield and (7) heterotrophy. Analysis revealed that topics closely related to bioenergy production and biofuels played a dominant role in scientific research. This publication indicates the directions and topics for future scientific research that should be carried out to successfully implement economically viable technology based on microalgae on an industrial scale.
Collapse
|
7
|
Mapstone LJ, Leite MN, Purton S, Crawford IA, Dartnell L. Cyanobacteria and microalgae in supporting human habitation on Mars. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 59:107946. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
8
|
McNulty MJ, Xiong YM, Yates K, Karuppanan K, Hilzinger JM, Berliner AJ, Delzio J, Arkin AP, Lane NE, Nandi S, McDonald KA. Molecular pharming to support human life on the moon, mars, and beyond. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 41:849-864. [PMID: 33715563 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1888070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Space missions have always assumed that the risk of spacecraft malfunction far outweighs the risk of human system failure. This assumption breaks down for longer duration exploration missions and exposes vulnerabilities in space medical systems. Space agencies can no longer reduce the majority of the human health and performance risks through crew members selection process and emergency re-supply or evacuation. No mature medical solutions exist to address this risk. With recent advances in biotechnology, there is promise for lessening this risk by augmenting a space pharmacy with a biologically-based space foundry for the on-demand manufacturing of high-value medical products. Here we review the challenges and opportunities of molecular pharming, the production of pharmaceuticals in plants, as the basis of a space medical foundry to close the risk gap in current space medical systems. Plants have long been considered to be an important life support object in space and can now also be viewed as programmable factories in space. Advances in molecular pharming-based space foundries will have widespread applications in promoting simple and accessible pharmaceutical manufacturing on Earth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J McNulty
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Yongao Mary Xiong
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Yates
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kalimuthu Karuppanan
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.,Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacob M Hilzinger
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Aaron J Berliner
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jesse Delzio
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Adam P Arkin
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nancy E Lane
- Center for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Somen Nandi
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,Global HealthShare® Initiative, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Karen A McDonald
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,Global HealthShare® Initiative, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|