Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mei-Li Zhao, Xiang-Yu Li, Cheng-Xiang Lan, Zi-Ling Yuan, Jia-Lin Zhao, Ying Huang, Zhang-Li Hu, Bin Jia
Summary: A synthetic pathway for ginsenosides was established in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by introducing genes from Panax ginseng, resulting in high production of dammarenediol-II. Strategies such as gene loading and culture optimizing were employed to enhance productivity. This study provides a good platform for the further production of ginsenosides in microalgae.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Srikkanth Balasubramanian, Kui Yu, Anne S. Meyer, Elvin Karana, Marie-Eve Aubin-Tam
Summary: The study introduces a bioprinting technique for encapsulating microalgae within an alginate hydrogel matrix, resulting in materials with exceptional mechanical strength and stability. These bioprinted materials can detach and reattach onto different surfaces, survive without nutrients for at least 3 days, and be regenerative for future use. The potential product applications of these bioprinted living materials include artificial leaves, photosynthetic bio-garments, and adhesive labels, with the possibility of upscaling production.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jia-Yi Lin, I-Son Ng
Summary: This study used genetic engineering to enhance the growth, lipid and lutein production of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. CRISPRi was applied to down-regulate the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC1) gene, resulting in increased carbon flux towards lipid synthesis. The engineered strain PGi showed the highest biomass, lipid and lutein production at 35°C.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jia-Yi Lin, Sefli Sri Wahyu Effendi, I-Son Ng
Summary: This study explores the use of genetic modification to enhance CO2 capture and utilization in microalgae for increased biomass and product production. The results show that genetically modified C. reinhardtii can achieve maximum biomass, lutein, and lipid production under autotrophic conditions in a photo-bioreactor with 5% CO2, with improved CO2 assimilation rates.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Julian Wichmann, Annibel Eggert, Liam D. H. Elbourne, Ian T. Paulsen, Kyle J. Lauersen, Olaf Kruse
Summary: In this study, the accessibility of different isoprenoid precursor pools for sesquiterpenoid production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was investigated. It was found that both the cytoplasm and chloroplast can be utilized for the generation of sesquiterpenoids. Targeting the fusion protein to the chloroplast and increasing gene dosage significantly improved sesquiterpene production. In addition, potential prenyl unit transporters were proposed based on bioinformatic analyses, which could enhance the capabilities of sesquiterpenoid production.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Thi Thu Hoai Ho, Chris Schwier, Tamar Elman, Vera Fleuter, Karen Zinzius, Martin Scholz, Iftach Yacoby, Felix Buchert, Michael Hippler
Summary: Linear electron flow (LEF) and cyclic electron flow (CEF) compete for light-driven electrons, which can also be used for hydrogen production in anoxic conditions. The partitioning of electrons is regulated by PROTON-GRADIENT REGULATION5 (PGR5) and PSI remodeling processes. The plasticity of photosystem I-associated light-harvesting proteins LHCA2 and LHCA9 affects photosynthetic electron transfer and hydrogen production.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Amit Mahulkar, Smita Patil, Avinash Khopkar, Nitin Kirdat, Arun Banerjee, Thomas Griffin, Ajit Sapre
Summary: This study proposes a simple mathematical model to describe algal growth in a flashing light regime. By fitting the model constants to experimental data, the model is able to accurately predict the photosynthesis rate under different light conditions and successfully forecast the improvement in light utilization efficiency. Additionally, a simple modeling approach for simulating algal growth in a flat panel photo-bioreactor is presented, highlighting the impact of boundary layer thickness on reactor performance.
BIOENERGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yimin Chen
Summary: Photobiological hydrogen production through algae is a promising way to obtain green hydrogen energy, but its sustainability and cost hinder large-scale commercial production. This study presents a blueprint for sustained bioH(2) production and evaluates its economic feasibility locally. By comparing different methods and conducting geographic analysis, the potential of algal bioH(2) production is demonstrated.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Carolina Ehrenfeld, Valentina Veloso-Gimenez, Rocio Corrales-Orovio, Rolando Rebolledo, Mauricio P. Boric, Jose Tomas Egana
Summary: As animal cells cannot produce oxygen, erythrocytes are responsible for gas interchange, being able to capture and deliver oxygen upon tissue request. Several other cells in nature produce oxygen by photosynthesis, raising the question of whether they could circulate within the vascular networks, acting as an alternative source for oxygen delivery. This study examines the physical and mechanical features of the photosynthetic microalga Chlamydomona reinhardtii and compares them with erythrocytes, finding similarities in size and rheological properties. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the microalgae is evaluated, showing that they can co-culture with endothelial cells without affecting each other's morphology and viability. Additionally, the systemic injection of high numbers of microalgae in mice does not trigger harmful responses, suggesting their potential as a source of oxygen delivery.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arthur Oliver, Cristobal Camarena-Bernard, Jules Lagirarde, Victor Pozzobon
Summary: Industrial microalgal biotechnology has the potential to contribute to carbon capture through photosynthesis, but there is a lack of credible data and consideration of carbon emissions associated with the processes. This study quantitatively assessed the extent to which microalgal processes compensate for their CO2 emissions. Microalgae were cultivated under photolimited conditions and their growth dynamics and photosynthetic apparatus were monitored. Carbon capture rate, energy storage rate, and CO2 emissions were computed based on recorded values.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Arti Sharma, Meenu Chhabra
Summary: The study found that Chlamydomonas reinhardtii supports high power output in a photosynthetic microbial fuel cell and is highly resourceful in terms of value-added products.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lifeng Li, Zulfida Mohamad Hafis Mohd Shafie, Tingyi Huang, Raymond Lau, Chi-Hwa Wang
Summary: In this study, a comprehensive multiphysics model is developed to predict microalgae productivity in concentric-tube internal loop airlift photobioreactors. The model integrates solar radiation, light attenuation, cell growth kinetics, and hydrodynamics. The simulations show that 2.5 m-high PBRs have higher annual areal biomass productivity than 1.5 m and 2 m-high PBRs. The highest productivity is observed at a plant latitude of approximately 15 degrees. The optimal harvesting threshold concentration for the highest productivity ranges from 0.4-0.7g l-1, increasing with longer downtime. Small clearances between PBRs are preferred for higher productivity.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mei-Li Zhao, Wen-Sheng Cai, Si-Qi Zheng, Jia-Lin Zhao, Jun-Liang Zhang, Ying Huang, Zhang-Li Hu, Bin Jia
Summary: This study successfully introduced a novel isopentenol utilization pathway into Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, leading to a significant increase in limonene production. With culture optimization, transgenic algae cultured under a light: dark regimen achieved the highest limonene production of 117μg/L.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alexander Einhaus, Jasmin Steube, Robert Ansgar Freudenberg, Jonas Barczyk, Thomas Baier, Olaf Kruse
Summary: In this study, innovative synthetic biology and efficient metabolic engineering strategies were combined to redirect metabolic flux through the MEP pathway in the green microalgae, C. reinhardtii, for efficient heterologous diterpenoid synthesis. Engineering of key enzymes and overexpression of fusion proteins successfully increased the production of high-value diterpenoids. Through fully photoautotrophic high cell density cultivations, significant amounts of sclareol, a high-value diterpenoid, were produced, demonstrating the potential of green microalgae as a powerful phototrophic cell factory for industrial biotechnology.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sanjukta Banerjee, Ayusmita Ray, Debabrata Das
Summary: Algal biomass is considered as a sustainable energy feedstock for future biofuel production. By optimizing physicochemical parameters, the biomass and carbohydrate productivity of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were improved, leading to efficient bioethanol production and subsequent methane generation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jie Lian, Georg Steinert, Jeroen de Vree, Sven Meijer, Christa Heryanto, Rouke Bosma, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria J. Barbosa, Hauke Smidt, Detmer Sipkema
Summary: This study investigated the bacterial diversity in indoor and outdoor algae reactors, and found significant differences in bacterial community composition between different reactors and over time. The presence of certain bacterial taxa was significantly correlated with nitrate concentration.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Robin Barten, Rocca Chin-On, Jeroen de Vree, Ellen van Beersum, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria J. Barbosa, Marcel Janssen
Summary: This study presents the growth parameters of three industrially relevant microalgae species. The growth rates, photosynthetic efficiency, and biomass yield on light were determined through dedicated experiments. The results show that these growth parameters are accurate and can be used for model calibration.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Robin Barten, Teun Peeters, Sofia Navalho, Louis Fontowicz, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria Barbosa
Summary: By performing adaptive laboratory evolution, the study successfully increased the thermotolerant capability of microalgae at higher temperatures, and the evolved clones exhibited similar growth characteristics to the wild-type strain at lower temperatures, with a 46% increase in cell volume.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christian Sudfeld, Ana Pozo-Rodriguez, Sara A. Manjavacas Diez, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria J. Barbosa, Sarah D'Adamo
Summary: This study reports a novel gene expression system discovered in the oleaginous microalga Nannochloropsis, utilizing the highly efficient transcriptional activity of RNA polymerase I and an internal ribosome entry site for translation. By identifying the nucleolus as a genomic safe harbor for Pol I transcription and constructing transformant strains, consistently strong transgene expression was achieved, providing a powerful tool for genetic and metabolic engineering of microalgae and potential significant contributions to microalgal research.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Fengzheng Gao, Iago Teles Dominguez Cabanelas, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria J. Barbosa
Summary: The study successfully developed a winter strain of Tisochrysis lutea with high productivity at lower temperatures, maintaining similar biomass, fucoxanthin, and DHA productivities as at 30 degrees C. The winter strain showed a stable phenotype after one year of cultivation, expanding the outdoor production seasons for this species.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Catalina A. Suarez Ruiz, Oriol Cabau-Peinado, Corjan van den Berg, Rene H. Wijffels, Michel H. M. Eppink
Summary: This study successfully investigated the fractionation of lipids from other microalgal components using polymers and IL solutions in aqueous two-phase systems, showing potential applications for multiproduct microalgal biorefineries. The research also demonstrated that by combining polypropylene glycol 400 solution with subsequent ATPS, most of the microalgae biomolecules could be fractionated.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fabian Abiusi, Pedro Monino Fernandez, Stefano Canziani, Marcel Janssen, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria Barbosa
Summary: G. sulphuraria is a polyextremophilic microalga that can thrive in multiple extreme environments. Mixotrophy can enhance biomass productivity and concentration.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Fabian Abiusi, Egbert Trompetter, Antonino Pollio, Rene H. Wijffels, Marcel Janssen
Summary: This study investigated six microalgal strains capable of growing at low pH conditions and compared their biomass productivity with other commercially relevant microalgae. The results showed that five strains had autotrophic biomass productivities comparable to other microalgae, indicating their potential for large-scale autotrophic biomass production under acidic conditions. Additionally, two strains demonstrated the ability to grow mixotrophically and heterotrophically.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marta Sa, Narcis Ferrer-Ledo, Fengzheng Gao, Carlo G. Bertinetto, Jeroen Jansen, Joao G. Crespo, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria Barbosa, Claudia F. Galinha
Summary: Microalgae industrial production is seen as an alternative solution for producing nutraceuticals, cosmetics, biofertilizers, and biopolymers. While technological advances have increased the competitiveness of the industry, online monitoring and real-time process control still need further development, with fluorescence spectroscopy being the most promising method for monitoring.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Marcel Janssen, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria J. Barbosa
Summary: Microalgae have high protein expression levels and can be produced in contained cultivation systems with low water requirements. Although the current production scale is small, techno economic analysis has shown good potential for scale-up and cost reduction. Microalgal protein has a suitable amino acid composition for food and feed requirements, and high quality can be guaranteed through novel biomass pre-treatment steps.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rocca C. Chin-On, Maria J. Barbosa, Rene H. Wijffels, Marcel Janssen
Summary: Microalgae are a promising renewable feedstock for various biobased products. To reduce production costs, a novel V-shaped photobioreactor is proposed to capture and dilute sunlight, thereby improving photosynthetic efficiencies and biomass productivities of microalgae.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria J. Barbosa, Marcel Janssen, Christian Sudfeld, Sarah D'Adamo, Rene H. Wijffels
Summary: The urge for food security and sustainability has driven the development of microalgal biotechnology. Microalgae, as microorganisms, have the potential to be a valuable resource for food, feed, energy, and chemicals. With faster growth and higher productivity than plant crops, microalgae have the advantage of not requiring agricultural land and having efficient fertilizer uptake. They are also seen as a replacement for soy protein, fish oil, and palm oil, and can be utilized in industrial biotechnology for various purposes.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pedro Monino Fernandez, Albert Vidal Garcia, Tanisha Jansen, Wendy Evers, Maria Barbosa, Marcel Janssen
Summary: Oxygen-balanced mixotrophy (OBM) is a novel cultivation method that improves autotrophic productivity while reducing costs. However, nonideal mixing in large photobioreactors can have unwanted effects on cell physiology, making scale-up challenging.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lukas M. Trebuch, Jasper Sohier, Sido Altenburg, Ben O. Oyserman, Mario Pronk, Marcel Janssen, Louise E. M. Vet, Rene H. Wijffels, Tania V. Fernandes
Summary: Photogranules are a new wastewater treatment technology that uses solar energy for low-energy water treatment and shows potential for nutrient recovery. In this study, polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) were introduced to photogranules, resulting in increased phosphorus removal. The addition of a 12-hour anaerobic phase during nighttime did not negatively affect the PAOs and phototrophs but decreased nitrogen removal and biomass productivity.
