Microalgae as Green Engine for Synthetic Biology

Eukaryotic microalgae have excellent traits such as fast growth and reproduction, high photosynthetic efficiency, three sets of genetic transformation systems, facultative nutrition, and edibility. They are "cell factories" for the biosynthesis of important food resources and natural active products. CD BioGlyco has developed the mature GlycoChas™ Cell platform to help clients engineer modified Plant Chassis, Microalgae Chassis, Insect Chassis, Fungal Chassis, Bacterial Chassis, and Mammalian Chassis to industrialize the Production of natural active compounds. We also provide Cell-free System Construction services.

We use microalgae as chassis cells to directly convert CO₂ to synthesize proteins, nucleic acids, and other biological macromolecules as well as various other secondary metabolites through photosynthesis. And then we use synthetic biology technology to transform and optimize various synthesis pathways to achieve specific goals of producing a variety of algal and non-algae-derived biological products. To effectively develop microalgae resources, we help clients realize multiple links from upstream Chassis Development to downstream microalgae cultivation to meet your needs. The microalgae chassis we provide include but are not limited to:

Our service process is as follows:

• Choose the right microalgae strain: Based on the needs of our clients, selecting appropriate microalgae chassis cells is crucial to achieving high production titers. The choice of microalgae chassis cells mainly depends on the type of product produced.
• Microalgae cell culture for efficient carbohydrate production: The synthesis and production of carbohydrates is a complex process whose composition depends on the microalgae strain and culture conditions. In microalgae culture, we focus on continuous attention to macronutrients (nitrogen source, organic carbon, phosphorus), micronutrients (iron, sulfur), and culture conditions (CO₂, pH, irradiance, temperature, magnetic field). Control the main factors and parameters affecting carbohydrate production to improve the production of environmentally friendly microalgae carbohydrates. Microalgae are grown under conditions that maximize target carbohydrate content.
• Carbohydrate extraction and purification: Select appropriate extraction and purification techniques based on the characteristics of microalgae and target carbohydrates to obtain target carbohydrates with high yield and purity. Commonly used extraction methods include physical methods (ultrasonic treatment, microwave-assisted extraction, etc.) and chemical methods (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, etc.). Chromatography techniques are commonly used for the purification and fractionation of carbohydrates. Commonly used chromatography techniques include ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, and gel permeation chromatography.
• Characterization of carbohydrates: We analyze the chemical composition, structural characteristics, functional characteristics, and rheological properties of carbohydrates.

Applications

• Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that have received widespread attention in biomass production. We use microalgae as a substrate to produce polysaccharide compounds with antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.
• Based on the major scientific and technological innovation needs of green development, we serve the development goal of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality", improve the R&D and production system of natural microalgae active substances, and realize their application in cosmetics, food, health care products, and pharmaceutical products.
• Microalgae polysaccharide is one of the most versatile groups in biotechnology. We use microalgae polysaccharides to produce a variety of biofuels, such as bioethanol, biobutanol, and biomethane.

Advantages of Us

• We use microalgae as the chassis to help clients produce high-value products such as crude polysaccharides, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, and terpenes.
• According to the characteristics of the target product, the most suitable microalgae chassis is selected to meet client needs.
• During the microalgae cultivation process, environmental factors and culture medium components are professionally controlled to maximize production.
• After microalgae cultivation, we also provide carbohydrate extraction, isolation, purification, and characterization services to help you produce target carbohydrates.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why should we vigorously develop microalgae chassis for synthetic biology?
  The excavation and burning of fossil fuels have led to serious environmental pollution and climate change, and people have gradually shifted their goals to the more promising field of bioenergy. Microalgae are a type of low-photoautotrophic plant rich in oils, polyunsaturated fatty acids, high-quality proteins, polysaccharides, and a variety of special secondary metabolites. Not only are microalgae used as feedstock to produce biodiesel, but they also are used to produce energy compounds that serve as storage molecules. Microalgae synthesize biomass by fixing CO₂ through photosynthesis, making a significant contribution to the global carbon cycle and reducing environmental pollution caused by industrial waste.
• What are the factors affecting microalgae culture?
  Environmental factors include pH, rotation speed, temperature, and light intensity. The pH of the culture medium determines the solubility and availability of CO₂ and essential nutrients. The rotation speed controls the mass transfer rate and regulates the exchange of O₂ and CO₂ between microalgae and yeast. Culturing cells at optimal temperatures results in rapid growth and efficient nutrient uptake. Light is the basic energy source for microalgae photosynthesis and also regulates the biochemical composition of microalgae, especially lipids and carbohydrates.
  Medium components include carbon sources, nitrogen sources, phosphorus sources, and various trace elements. Carbon sources are essential elements for microalgae to carry out photosynthesis. Nitrogen sources, like carbon sources, are also essential components of photosynthesis. When the nitrogen source is insufficient, the chlorophyll content in microalgae cells decreases rapidly and the growth rate decreases. Phosphorus sources participate in the synthesis of nucleic acids, ATP, phospholipids, and coenzymes during the growth of microalgae, and usually exist in the form of phosphates, ammonium salts, and urea. Other trace elements such as calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, etc. also have a non-negligible impact on the growth and physiological and biochemical characteristics of microalgae.

Over the years, CD BioGlyco has accumulated extensive experience and received many recognitions in the biosynthesis of carbohydrates. If you have any needs in the field of biosynthesis, please feel free to contact us and we will develop and deliver a satisfactory answer for you.

• Plant Chassis for Synthetic Biology
• Bacteria Chassis for Synthetic Biology
• Cell-free System Construction Service
• Insect Chassis for Synthetic Biology
• Fungal Chassis for Synthetic Biology
• Mammalian Chassis for Synthetic Biology
• Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Engineering Service
• Chlorella sp. Engineering Service
• Dunaliella salina Engineering Service
• Nannochloropsis oculata Engineering Service
• Phaeodactylum tricornutum Engineering Service