Genetic Manipulation for Algal Biofuel Production

Scientists have long been interested in the potential for large-scale oil synthesis from microalgae. Hiroyuki Ohta at Tokyo Institute of Technology, together with scientists from institutions across Tokyo has found a way of enhancing the production of triacylglycerols in the Nannochloropsis algal strain NIES-2145, increasing its oil synthesis.

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are lipids which are the backbone to biofuels. In the algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, TAGs accumulate rapidly following the overexpression of the enzyme CrDGTT4, which is triggered by the gene promoter SQD2. The researchers then placed both CrDGTT4 from C. reinhardtii and its SQD2 promoter into NIES-2145. The promoter was able to drive CrDGTT4 expression in NIES-2145 under phosphorus starvation and increased its production of TAGs.

The findings point to the possibility of genetically manipulating the production of TAGs, and therefore biofuel production, in multiple microalgal strains. However, further studies are needed to fully understand lipid production during phosphorus starvation.