The Genetic Engineering of Algae for Increased Efficiency as a Biofuel Source

Overview

Increasing lipid content in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella vulgaris, two green algae species, can increase the efficacy of algae as an alternative fuel source. The retinoblastoma (Rb) gene has been implicated in the development of multicellularity in eukaryotic cells and the acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) gene product, a rate-limiting enzyme, is a key component of the fatty acid synthesis (FAS) pathway. Two exogenous genes, retinoblastoma (Rb) and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) on separate plasmids (RcCMV/Rb) and (A6986), were transfected into algal cells. Transfection was conducted separately and together to optimize efficiency. Rb and ACC-transfected cells were hypothesized to have increased occurrence of multicellularity (Rb) as well as lipid content in comparison to wild type algal cells. In addition, prior research has demonstrated an increase in lipid synthesis in nutrient starved algae. Wild type and transfected cells were analyzed for lipid content after being starved of nutrients. Subsequently microscopy was conducted on Rb-transfected cells and RB/ACC transfected cells to determine if the gene induced multicellularity. A spectrophotometric assay was performed with RB/ACC transfected cells and ACC-transfected cells to determine ACC activity and thus indirectly determine lipid content. A high-performance liquid chromatography was then conducted to analyze lipid content as well. In conclusion, compared to wild type algae, transfected algae had increased aggregation frequency and higher lipid content. When deprived of phosphorus, Rb/ACC cells demonstrated a significant rise in lipid content. This more potent algae can increase the quality of algal biofuel production.

Competition history

• AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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