Synthetic Biology Approaches To Enhance Microalgal Productivity

Mihris Ibnu Saleem Naduthodi; Nico J. Claassens; Sarah D’Adamo; John van der Oost; Maria J. Barbosa

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.12.010

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Synthetic Biology Approaches To Enhance Microalgal Productivity

Journal article

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Synthetic Biology Approaches To Enhance Microalgal Productivity

Mihris Ibnu Saleem Naduthodi, Nico J. Claassens, Sarah D’Adamo, John van der Oost and Maria J. Barbosa

Trends in biotechnology (Regular ed.), Vol.39(10), pp.1019-1036

10/01/2021

DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.12.010

PMID: 33541719

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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. The high cost of microalgal cultivation has hindered exploitation of their advantages for sustainable production of green chemicals and biomass. Nevertheless, recent advances in the field of synthetic biology could help to overcome the associated bottlenecks.Improving reducing power generation and carbon influx will be crucial for attaining an overall improvement in microalgal productivity.Enhancing light absorption, in conjunction with techniques to swiftly channel electrons through the electron transport chain, could enhance the generation of reducing power.The Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle might not be the best CO2 fixation pathway, and other natural and synthetic pathways may outperform the CBB cycle. However, implementing these entire pathways in new hosts will be very challenging.Mixotrophic cultivation and microbial electrosynthesis could be implemented as an additional source of energy and carbon to improve microalgal productivity.

carbon fixation

microalgae

mixotrophy

photosynthesis

synthetic biology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Synthetic Biology Approaches To Enhance Microalgal Productivity
Creators: Mihris Ibnu Saleem Naduthodi - Wageningen University & Research
Nico J. Claassens - Wageningen University & Research
Sarah D’Adamo - Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
John van der Oost - Wageningen University & Research
Maria J. Barbosa - Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Trends in biotechnology (Regular ed.), Vol.39(10), pp.1019-1036
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.12.010
PMID: 33541719
NLM abbreviation: Trends Biotechnol
ISSN: 0167-7799
eISSN: 1879-3096
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/501100007601, name: Horizon 2020
Language: English
Date published: 10/01/2021
Academic Unit: International Programs; Spanish and Portuguese
Record Identifier: 9984398028502771

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