Lemna minor has the characteristics of rapid growth, a high reproduction rate, and strong environmental adaptability. Therefore, it has received widespread attention in many fields such as ecology, biology, and biotechnology. The genome of L. minor is relatively simple. Its cellular structure, metabolic pathways, and other characteristics make it an ideal target for synthetic biology and bioengineering research.

Fig.1 Duckweed platform. (Yang, et al., 2021)

Lemna minor Engineering Service at CD BioGlyco

CD BioGlyco established the advanced GlycoChas™ Cells platform, which provides a technical foundation for numerous chassis engineering studies. As one of the important Plant Chassis we provide, L. minor has an important position and application value in synthetic glycobiology. Through in-depth research and utilization of its biological properties, we have developed more efficient and environmentally friendly biosynthetic methods.

• Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology: This involves the artificial combination of DNA from different sources. The most common approach to L. minor engineering is to insert the desired glycosylation gene using rDNA technology. These genes are designed to target metabolic pathways involved in glycan synthesis and modification.
• Genetic engineering: CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful gene editing tool that can be used to engineer L. minor. The technology involves the addition, deletion, or modification of genes within L. minor to alter the plant's natural glycan production pathways to produce the desired glycan or glycoprotein. The system can be directed to target and edit specific genes, such as those involved in glycoprotein synthesis. Not only does this provide a high degree of specificity for genetic changes but also relatively fast compared to other methods.
• Metabolic pathway modification: Metabolic engineering of L. minor adjusts its natural biochemical pathways to optimize the production of glycans and glycoproteins. This may involve the amplification of certain glycan- or glycoprotein-producing genes or the reduction of metabolic energy used for other biochemical pathways so that more resources are devoted to glycan and glycoprotein production. For example, engineering the sialylation pathway allows L. minor to produce human-like sialylated glycans. This can be accomplished by introducing genes required for enzyme-catalyzed reactions in the glycan synthesis pathway.
• Production of specific glycans and glycoproteins: Through genetic engineering and metabolic pathway modification, L. minor is engineered to produce specific types of glycans. This may include monosaccharides, disaccharides, or polysaccharides, depending on the genetic modification made. In addition, L. minor undergoes glycoengineering to produce the desired glycoproteins. Glycoengineering involves modifying the glycosylation pathway in L. minor to produce the desired glycoforms (proteins with specific glycan chains attached ). This can be achieved by introducing specific glycosyltransferases or by altering the substrate specificity of the native enzyme. These glycoproteins may have a wide range of applications, including therapeutic applications such as antibodies or vaccines.

Applications of L. minor Engineering

• Production of biofuels: Genetically engineered L. minor can be used to produce high amounts of starch that can be converted into biofuels. This involves the manipulation of its carbohydrate metabolic pathway.
• Pharmaceutical industry: L. minor can be engineered to produce specific glycoproteins used in the manufacture of therapeutic drugs. This can be a cost-effective method to produce complex glycoproteins that are difficult to synthesize in the lab.
• Studying plant metabolic pathways and gene functions: L. minor as a model organism, can be used to study plant metabolic pathways and gene functions. Through gene editing technology, specific genes can be precisely knocked out or modified and their effects on plant growth and metabolism can be observed. This kind of research helps to deeply understand the growth and metabolic mechanisms of plants and provides theoretical support for agricultural production and plant biotechnology.

Advantages of Us

• Efficient production platform: L. minor as a fast-growing aquatic plant, has efficient photosynthetic capabilities and biosynthetic pathways. Through genetic engineering technology, we optimize its growth and metabolic processes, making it an ideal platform for the production of high-value compounds. This efficient production platform greatly improves production efficiency, shortens the production turnaround time, and reduces production costs.
• Customizability: The genome of L. minor is relatively simple to edit and modify gene. We customize specific gene sequences and metabolic pathways based on customer needs to produce compounds that meet specific requirements.
• Strong R&D support: As a biotechnology company, we have a strong R&D team and technical support system. We use the latest synthetic glycobiology and genetic engineering technologies to conduct in-depth development of L. minor. Its production performance and product quality are improved through these means.

CD BioGlyco has advanced biotechnology and a professional R&D team to provide excellent L. minor engineering service. We provide our clients with high-quality L. minor chassis and various glycan and glycoprotein products produced therefrom. Interested clients are welcome to contact us. We look forward to establishing long-term and stable cooperative relationships with our clients.

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