title: Generation of random mutants to improve light-use efficiency of Nannochloropsis gaditana cultures for biofuel production.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The productivity of an algal culture depends on how efficiently it converts sunlight into biomass and lipids. Wild-type algae in their natural environment evolved to compete for light energy and maximize individual cell growth; however, in a photobioreactor, global productivity should be maximized. Improving light use efficiency is one of the primary aims of algae biotechnological research, and genetic engineering can play a major role in attaining this goal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this work, we generated a collection of Nannochloropsis gaditana mutant strains and screened them for alterations in the photosynthetic apparatus. The selected mutant strains exhibited diverse phenotypes, some of which are potentially beneficial under the specific artificial conditions of a photobioreactor. Particular attention was given to strains showing reduced cellular pigment contents, and further characterization revealed that some of the selected strains exhibited improved photosynthetic activity; in at least one case, this trait corresponded to improved biomass productivity in lab-scale cultures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This work demonstrates that genetic modification of N. gaditana has the potential to generate strains with improved biomass productivity when cultivated under the artificial conditions of a photobioreactor.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perin
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy ; Centro studi di economia e tecnica dell'energia Giorgio Levi Cases, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bellan
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Segalla
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meneghesso
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alboresi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35121 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0803-7591
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morosinotto
keywords: Algae; Biodiesel; EMS; Insertional mutagenesis; Mutants; Nannochloropsis; Photosynthesis