Eukaryotic Algae Engineering Services

As algae are widely used in the production of raw materials for nutritional and cosmetic products, algae engineering is an essential technique to effectively facilitate the production of algae.

With years of experience, Lifeasible can provide professional and high-quality eukaryotic algae engineering services to help you genetically manipulate eukaryotic algae.

Introduction to Genetic Engineering of Eukaryotic Algae

Through genetic engineering techniques, algae have real potential as cellular factories for the production of many high-value compounds and proteins. With the advancement and availability of algal genomic data, a number of transformation protocols for microalgae have been developed, meaning they can now be used to enhance natural high-value products, express genes to produce novel products, or produce recombinant proteins at economically viable levels, including antibodies, hormones, vaccines, and insecticidal proteins. Basic factors such as DNA delivery methods, selection methods, and control of gene expression must be considered before introducing the desired gene into the algal genome.

Engineered Eukaryotic Algae as Algal Factories

Currently, some algal species are used as sources of dietary compounds without the need for rigorous purification, since these species do not produce toxic compounds. Thus, algae can be used as hosts to facilitate the production of biopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals because they lack harmful endogenous compounds, in contrast to mammalian or bacterial systems, which have the risk of virus/prions contamination in the former and the presence of endotoxins in the latter. Microalgal species explored in this area to date are shown below.

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Dunaliella salina

Chlorella vulgaris

Schizochytrium sp

The Advantages of Engineered Eukaryotic Algae

Eukaryotic algae, edited using genetic engineering, are capable of producing a variety of target substances. This process is more time efficient compared to the cultivation of plants. Moreover, algae are capable of post-translational modification of proteins compared to bacteria. In addition, algae can be cultured in enclosed spaces, making them more environmentally friendly.

Large-Scale Production in A Short Period of Time

First, many microalgae can double their biomass in less than 24 hours, with some species such as Chlorella sorokiniana doubling in less than 3 hours under optimal conditions. Thus, only a very short time is needed for large-scale production compared to plants. In addition, the time between the creation of a new transgenic strain and industrial scale-up can be as short as two months.

Capable of Post-Translational Modifications

Genes for recombinant proteins can be expressed either from the nuclear or chloroplast genome, and eukaryotic microalgae possess a post-translational modification pathway that enables the production of glycosylated proteins and their secretion out of the cell.

Environmentally Friendly

Many microalgae can be grown photosynthetically or heterotrophically in closed photobioreactors, which prevent the escape of transgenes into the environment. A particular concern for transgenic plants is the possible spread of transgenic DNA to soil bacteria or related plant species by way of pollen transfer.

Our Services

Fig.5 Schematic diagram of the plasmid.

Why Choose Us

Fig.8 Illustration of our services advantages.

Lifeasible has devices in good condition and professional scientist teams to support the eukaryotic algae engineering services. Please contact us for more information.

Our services are for research use only and not for any clinical use.