title: Biotechnological exploitation of microalgae.
abstract: Microalgae are a diverse group of single-cell photosynthetic organisms that include cyanobacteria and a wide range of eukaryotic algae. A number of microalgae contain high-value compounds such as oils, colorants, and polysaccharides, which are used by the food additive, oil, and cosmetic industries, among others. They offer the potential for rapid growth under photoautotrophic conditions, and they can grow in a wide range of habitats. More recently, the development of genetic tools means that a number of species can be transformed and hence used as cell factories for the production of high-value chemicals or recombinant proteins. In this article, we review exploitation use of microalgae with a special emphasis on genetic engineering approaches to develop cell factories, and the use of synthetic ecology approaches to maximize productivity. We discuss the success stories in these areas, the hurdles that need to be overcome, and the potential for expanding the industry in general.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gangl
authors.affiliation: Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK.
authors.forename: Julie A Z
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Zedler
authors.affiliation: Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: Priscilla D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Rajakumar
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Erick M Ramos
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riseley
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Włodarczyk
authors.affiliation: Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: Saul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Purton
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Yumiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakuragi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Poul Erik
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK c.robinson-504@kent.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D007218:Industrial Microbiology; D058086:Microalgae / Q000235:genetics
keywords: Chlamydomonas; downstream processing; metabolic engineering; microalgae; recombinant proteins; transformation.