Recent Advances in Algal Genetic Tool Development
- Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States). Dept. of Chemistry and Geochemistry
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). National Bioenergy Center
The goal of achieving cost-effective biofuels and bioproducts derived from algal biomass will require improvements along the entire value chain, including identification of robust, high-productivity strains and development of advanced genetic tools. Though there have been modest advances in development of genetic systems for the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, progress in development of algal genetic tools, especially as applied to non-model algae, has generally lagged behind that of more commonly utilized laboratory and industrial microbes. This is in part due to the complex organellar structure of algae, including robust cell walls and intricate compartmentalization of target loci, as well as prevalent gene silencing mechanisms, which hinder facile utilization of conventional genetic engineering tools and methodologies. However, recent progress in global tool development has opened the door for implementation of strain-engineering strategies in industrially-relevant algal strains. Here, we review recent advances in algal genetic tool development and applications in eukaryotic microalgae.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1271943
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA-5100-65870
- Journal Information:
- Current Biotechnology, Vol. 5, Issue 3; ISSN 2211-5501
- Publisher:
- Bentham Science PublishersCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Genetic compensation of triacylglycerol biosynthesis in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Mapping the Path Forward to Next Generation Algal Technologies: Workshop on Understanding the Rules of Life and Complexity in Algal Systems