Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yimei Xi, Bolei Han, Fantao Kong, Tingting You, Ran Bi, Xiangfeng Zeng, Shaofeng Wang, Yongfeng Jia
Summary: A novel phosphate transporter DsPht1 was found to be highly upregulated in Dunaliella salina after arsenic exposure. Overexpressing DsPht1 in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii increased arsenic uptake and transformation, making it promising for effective phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated water.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yi-Ying Lee, Rudolph Park, Stephen M. Miller, Yantao Li
Summary: Genetic compensation is proposed as a mechanism to explain phenotypic differences between gene knockouts and knockdowns. This study demonstrates examples of genetic compensation in microalgae and suggests its physiological relevance in TAG biosynthesis under stress. These findings provide guidance for future genetic engineering and mutant characterization efforts.
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tomokazu Kurita, Masako Iwai, Keishi Moroi, Kumiko Okazaki, Seiji Nomura, Fumihiko Saito, Shinichiro Maeda, Akihide Takami, Atsushi Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Ohta, Tetsushi Sakuma, Takashi Yamamoto
Summary: Algal lipids, produced through photosynthesis and carbon dioxide assimilation, are expected to be the basis for sustainable fuels. However, the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in outdoor culture is restricted. Recent research has discovered that plasmids containing yeast centromere and autonomous replication sequence can behave as episomes in Nannochloropsis species. This study aims to develop a genome editing system that allows the removal of expression vectors after introducing mutations, thereby creating mutated Nannochloropsis without any transgenes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fantao Kong, Mengjie Li, Keqing Liu, Yunlong Ge, Tomohito Yamasaki, Audrey Beyly-Adriano, Takeshi Ohama, Yonghua Li-Beisson
Summary: In this study, a simplified and efficient genetic crossing method for transgene stacking and progeny testing in Chlamydomonas strains harboring the same antibiotic marker was described. This method allows for successful generation of dual transgene-expressing strains and can be potentially applicable to other microalgal species.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
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
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jilong Zhao, Yunlong Ge, Keqing Liu, Yasuyo Yamaoka, Di Zhang, Zhanyou Chi, Mahinur Akkaya, Fantao Kong
Summary: Under standard growth conditions, overexpressing MYB1 in Chlamydomonas increased lipid accumulation, starch and protein content, and biomass production. This provides a promising genetic engineering tool for biofuel production in microalgae.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biology
Federico Perozeni, Thomas Baier
Summary: The green model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has emerged as a sustainable platform for the production of recombinant proteins and high-value metabolites. This review discusses the main obstacles in genetic engineering of C. reinhardtii and highlights the importance of sequence adaption and vector design for achieving sufficient transgene expression from the nuclear genome. Successful biotechnological examples serve as blueprints for establishing C. reinhardtii as a green cell factory in the future.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sofia Amendola, Jacob S. Kneip, Florian Meyer, Federico Perozeni, Stefano Cazzaniga, Kyle J. Lauersen, Matteo Ballottari, Thomas Baier
Summary: By systematically screening and overexpressing carotenoid pathway enzymes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, researchers identified phytoene synthase (PSY/crtB) as a bottleneck for astaxanthin accumulation. Increased ss-carotene hydroxylase (CHYB) activity was found to be essential for engineered astaxanthin production. A combined expression strategy of BKT, crtB, and CHYB resulted in a 4-fold increase in astaxanthin production compared to previous reports in C. reinhardtii.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ru Chen, Yasuyo Yamaoka, Yanbin Feng, Zhanyou Chi, Song Xue, Fantao Kong
Summary: Lipid transporters play a synergistic role in oil accumulation in microalgae under normal conditions, but their effects under stress conditions are unclear. In this study, the co-expression of fatty acid transporters (FAX1 and FAX2) and ABC transporter (ABCA2) in the green microalga Chlamydomonas was found to significantly increase the TAG content, as well as membrane lipids, starch, and biomass. The overexpression also upregulated genes involved in TAG, fatty acid, and starch biosynthesis, and caused changes in photosynthesis activity and ROS levels during nitrogen deprivation. This strategy could be applied to other microalgae for the production of FA-derived energy-rich compounds.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Camila Magalhaes de Sousa, Vicelma Luiz Cardoso, Fabiana Regina Xavier Batista
Summary: The increasing development of industries has led to excessive exploitation of natural resources and unregulated discharge of wastewater into the environment. Heavy metals, such as chromium, are highly toxic and persistent in nature. This study investigates the synergistic photocatalytic process for the reduction and removal of Cr (VI), using niobium oxide (Nb2O5) and microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in separate phases. The results show that the proposed model provides an average total removal of 71%, 31%, and 18% for initial concentrations of 10, 30, and 50 mg/L of Cr (VI), respectively.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vera Slaveykova, Sanghamitra Majumdar, Nicole Regier, Weiwei Li, Arturo A. Keller
Summary: Metabolomics was used to study the response of green alga to sublethal concentrations of inorganic mercury and monomethylmercury. The alga adjusted its metabolism by increasing levels of various metabolites involved in different pathways after exposure to low concentrations of mercury compounds. Exposure to inorganic mercury resulted in more pronounced metabolic perturbations in comparison to monomethylmercury, while most metabolic disturbances were common between the two treatments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Robert A. Freudenberg, Thomas Baier, Alexander Einhaus, Lutz Wobbe, Olaf Kruse
Summary: The green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been used as an innovative green-cell factory for the production of polyamines, with overexpression of recombinant lysine decarboxylases enabling the accumulation of non-native polyamine cadaverine. By optimizing cultivation parameters and using a fully phototrophic medium, high cell density cultivations of C. reinhardtii were achieved, resulting in increased cadaverine yields and productivity.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yidong Liu, Wenxuan Sun, Liting Ma, Rong Xu, Chunyu Yang, Ping Xu, Cuiqing Ma, Chao Gao
Summary: Given the intrinsic and potential resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to antibiotics, it is crucial to develop new therapeutic options for infections caused by this bacterium. Bacterial metabolic pathways are being explored as potential targets for new antibiotics. This study investigates the metabolic mechanisms of glycerol and its intermediate glycerol 3-phosphate (G3P) in P. aeruginosa PAO1. The results reveal the importance of G3P homeostasis for the growth and virulence factor production of P. aeruginosa PAO1. The enzyme GlpD, involved in G3P catabolism, is identified as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.
Article
Agronomy
Supakorn Potijun, Chonlada Yaisamlee, Anchalee Sirikhachornkit
Summary: Microalgae have been used for commercial production of natural colorants, and there is a need to increase efficiency due to high demand. Research on efficient production methods for microalgal biorefineries in colder climates is important. Cold temperatures can induce and increase pigment productivity in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sergio Cohuo, Laura Macario-Gonzalez, Liseth Perez, Antje Schwalb
Article
Zoology
Hyunsu Yoo, Sergio Cohuo, Laura Macario-Gonzalez, Ivana Karanovic
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER
(2017)
Article
Limnology
Ladislav Hamerlik, Marta Wojewodka, Edyta Zawisza, Sergio Cohuo Duran, Laura Macario-Gonzalez, Liseth Perez, Krystyna Szeroczynska
JOURNAL OF LIMNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Zoology
Laura Macario-Gonzalez, Sergio Cohuo, Manuel Elias-Gutierrez, Miguel Vences, Liseth Perez, Antje Schwalb
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER
(2018)
Article
Geology
Felipe Franco-Gaviria, Dayenari Caballero-Rodriguez, Alexander Correa-Metrio, Liseth Perez, Antje Schwalb, Sergio Cohuo, Laura Macario-Gonzalez
BOLETIN DE LA SOCIEDAD GEOLOGICA MEXICANA
(2018)
Article
Geography, Physical
Sergio Cohuo, Laura Macario-Gonzalez, Liseth Perez, Florence Sylvestre, Christine Pailles, Jason H. Curtis, Steffen Kutterolf, Marta Wojewodka, Edyta Zawisza, Krystyna Szeroczynska, Antje Schwalb
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2018)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kim J. Krahn, Anja Schwarz, Carlos E. Wetzel, Sergio Cohuo-Duraen, Gerhard Daut, Laura Macario-Gonzaelez, Liseth Peerez, Junbo Wang, Antje Schwalb
Summary: Three new needle-shaped Fragilaria species from different environments (a tropical crater lake in El Salvador and a high elevation lake on the Tibetan Plateau) are described and compared in terms of valve outline, striae density, and spine shape.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Laura Macario-Gonzalez, Sergio Cohuo, Dorottya Angyal, Liseth Perez, Maite Mascaro
Summary: The Yucatan Peninsula is a karstic region rich in diverse crustacean stygobiont fauna in subterranean environments. Research revealed significant intraspecific morphological variability among species, with genetic analysis showing different lineages and high genetic similarity in core rDNA sequences. The study suggests that climate variations during the Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene may have influenced the dominance of epigean ostracodes in subterranean environments on the Peninsula.
Article
Geography, Physical
Liseth Perez, Alex Correa-Metrio, Sergio Cohuo, Laura Macario Gonzalez, Paula Echeverria-Galindo, Mark Brenner, Jason Curtis, Steffen Kutterolf, Mona Stockhecke, Frederik Schenk, Thorsten Bauersachs, Antje Schwalb
Summary: The study suggests that Heinrich Stadial 5-1 was characterized by cold and dry conditions, leading to lower ostracode and vegetation species richness and diversity; while the slightly warmer and dry conditions during HS6 and HS5a were associated with higher ostracode species richness and diversity. Ostracodes showed larger and more rapid community changes compared to vegetation.
QUATERNARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Marta Wojewodka-Przybyl, Kim J. Krahn, Ladislav Hamerlik, Laura Macario-Gonzalez, Sergio Cohuo, Fernanda Charqueno-Celis, Anais Cisneros, Philipp Hoelzmann, Handong Yang, Neil L. Rose, Edyta Zawisza, Liseth Perez, Antje Schwalb
Summary: This study used sediment records from Lake Apastepeque in El Salvador to investigate climatic and environmental changes during the Little Ice Age (LIA) and the recent history of the lake. The results show that the mid-elevations of El Salvador experienced relatively humid conditions during most of the LIA, while the first part of the LIA was characterized by drier climates. The study also highlights the significant environmental disturbance caused by a strong earthquake in 2001 and the ongoing recovery of the lake ecosystem.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sergio Cohuo, Antonia Moreno-Lopez, Naydelin Y. Escamilla-Tut, Alondra M. Perez-Tapia, Ivan Santos-Itza, Laura A. Macario-Gonzalez, Carmen A. Villegas-Sanchez, Alejandro Medina-Quej
Summary: This study assessed the impact of anthropogenic activities on Lake La Sabana in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The results showed poor water quality and excessive levels of microorganisms, indicating the influence of human activities. The occurrence of excessive nutrients and aquatic plant invasions in the lake may be attributed to ineffective wastewater treatment and disposal.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Handong Yang, Laura Macario-Gonzalez, Sergio Cohuo, Thomas J. Whitmore, Jorge Salgado, Liseth Perez, Antje Schwalb, Neil L. Rose, Jonathan Holmes, Melanie A. Riedinger-Whitmore, Philipp Hoelzmann, Aaron O'Dea
Summary: Sediment cores from tropical and subtropical American lakes show that human activities have significantly increased mercury pollution. Even remote lakes are affected by human-caused mercury deposition. The study also reveals that there has been a 3-fold increase in mercury fluxes in sediment from 1850 to 2000. Climate change-induced extreme weather events and drier conditions since the 1990s have contributed to the elevated levels of mercury fluxes in the study region. These findings suggest the importance of considering climate change in addressing mercury pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Rodrigo Martinez-Abarca, Michelle Abstein, Frederik Schenk, David Hodell, Philipp Hoelzmann, Mark Brenner, Steffen Kutterolf, Sergio Cohuo, Laura Macario-Gonzalez, Mona Stockhecke, Jason Curtis, Flavio S. Anselmetti, Daniel Ariztegui, Thomas Guilderson, Alexander Correa-Metrio, Thorsten Bauersachs, Liseth Perez, Antje Schwalb
Summary: Lake Peten Itza in Guatemala provides a valuable lake sediment record that helps understand the paleoclimate variability in the northern Neotropics over the past 400,000 years. The geochemical and mineralogical data from sediment core PI-2 reveal changes in runoff, lake evaporation, organic matter sources, and redox conditions, which are influenced by hydrological changes and the intensity of the Caribbean Low-Level Jet. The study also highlights the role of the Intertropical Convergence Zone in moisture delivery to the lake on millennial timescales.
CLIMATE OF THE PAST
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sergio Cohuo, Laura Macario-Gonzalez, Sebastian Wagner, Katrin Naumann, Paula Echeverria-Galindo, Liseth Perez, Jason Curtis, Mark Brenner, Antje Schwalb
Article
Biology
Paula Gabriela Echeverria Galindo, Liseth Perez, Alexander Correa-Metrio, Carlos Enrique Avendano, Barbara Moguel, Mark Brenner, Sergio Cohuo, Laura Macario, Margarita Caballero, Antje Schwalb
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICAL
(2019)