NPIF: Developing and utilizing a transgene-free genome editing toolbox for enhancing the production of high value carotenoids in algae
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Developing new molecular/genetic tools and technologies are essential for the production of commercially competitive pigments, such as carotenoids in industrial biotechnology in order to move away from unsustainable extraction of natural sources or environmentally costly synthetic chemistry. One of the most commercially valuable carotenoids is astaxanthin. It is used as a feed supplement to enhance red pigments in salmon, shrimp, crab and chicken products. In addition, astaxanthin is widely used as a dietary supplement for humans due to its antioxidant activity. The current market is dominated by synthetic astaxanthin. Since the synthetic version contains a mixture of stereoisomers with highly varying biological activity/pigmentation, there is increasing demand for natural, more efficient products.
Microalgae are highly valuable platforms in industrial biotechnology. However, the limited number of currently available genetic tools (1), including the generation of sequence-specific mutations (2, 3), often prevents realisation of their full potential. This project will develop a highly-specific, and transgene-free genome editing toolbox in order to enhance astaxhantin biogenesis in microalgae and optimise its production in microalgal photobioreactor systems. It will benefit from both molecular and genetic improvement of microalgae as well as expertise in algal microfarming.
Developing a highly customisable genome editing technology would pave the path to modify any biosynthetic pathway and to produce high value biochemicals with transgene-free designer algae.
Our project will provide the framework to develop core research skills both in academia and in industry as well as excellent cross-disciplinary research training, including skills in communication and public engagement. The student will benefit from the resources and expertise of a leading UK research institute and an innovative company - namely the University of Edinburgh and Scottish Bioenergy.
Microalgae are highly valuable platforms in industrial biotechnology. However, the limited number of currently available genetic tools (1), including the generation of sequence-specific mutations (2, 3), often prevents realisation of their full potential. This project will develop a highly-specific, and transgene-free genome editing toolbox in order to enhance astaxhantin biogenesis in microalgae and optimise its production in microalgal photobioreactor systems. It will benefit from both molecular and genetic improvement of microalgae as well as expertise in algal microfarming.
Developing a highly customisable genome editing technology would pave the path to modify any biosynthetic pathway and to produce high value biochemicals with transgene-free designer algae.
Our project will provide the framework to develop core research skills both in academia and in industry as well as excellent cross-disciplinary research training, including skills in communication and public engagement. The student will benefit from the resources and expertise of a leading UK research institute and an innovative company - namely the University of Edinburgh and Scottish Bioenergy.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Attila Molnar (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Aron Ferenczi (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/R506163/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1941078 | Studentship | BB/R506163/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | Aron Ferenczi |
| Description | Development of widely adoptable, efficient gene-editing protocol for the widely used model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Elucidation of DNA repair pathways involved in a our previously developed gene-editing technique in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Expansion of the utility of this gene-editing technique to other gene-editing enzymes. |
| Exploitation Route | Use of our gene-editing technique to domesticate Chlamydomonas renihardtii towards industrial biotechnological applications. Further use of this organism as a model for studying DNA repair. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Findings will be carried forward in a newly incorporated company called, Allgo Synbio, in an attempt to commercialize the findings of this research through my employment at this organisation. There is increasing awareness of the utility of our research for commercial exploitation, as demonstrated by other commercial entities across the globe. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Establishing Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as an industrial chassis for the production of high value biochemicals |
| Amount | £102,026 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/V509188/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2020 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | Rewriting The Genetic Code: The Algal Plastome As A Testbed For Basic And Applied Studies |
| Amount | £3,146,402 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/W003538/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2022 |
| End | 01/2027 |
| Description | Collaborative international research |
| Organisation | University of Szeged |
| Country | Hungary |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Using our developed technique, we made mutants of the algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for our collaborators in Hungary, who were interested in studying these genes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners are currently performing all forms of phenotypic characterisation of the mutants we made for them. |
| Impact | No outcome yet - results yet to be published. Not multi-disciplinary. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Collaborative national research |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Using our novel technique, we made mutants of certain genes of teh organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, who were interested in studying these genes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We made mutants of the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. |
| Impact | No outcomes yet - yet to be published. Not multi-disciplinary. |
| Start Year | 2018 |