U.S. research shows that expression of genes improves algal biomass production

A recent study by Iowa State University in the United States found that through a special genetic approach, algal biomass production can increase production by 50% to 80%. An important breakthrough in this R&D is derived from certain expressed genes of seaweed (the process by which the gene exhibits phenotypic effects through transcription and translation - editor's note), which can increase the amount of photosynthesis of plants, thereby increasing the production of algae biomass.

Martin Spalding, a professor of genetics, development, and cell biology at Iowa State University, said: "For wild seaweeds, increasing the production of seaweed biomass requires two genes in order to make photosynthetic The conversion rate of carbon (carbon assimilation in photosynthesis - editor's note) to organic matter is increased by 50%.This technology is currently being patented and is currently licensed from the Iowa State University Research Foundation, which is the technology Development provides funds.

Spalding said: "This provides more possibilities for the development of biofuels. I think this will significantly reduce the cost of biofuels, and the use of biofuels will also be promoted."

It is reported that in the natural world, algae grow at a limited rate because it cannot obtain enough carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In environments where carbon dioxide is relatively low, such as in the atmosphere of the Earth's atmosphere, there are two genes in the algae, the LCIA gene and the LCIB gene, which help to capture more carbon dioxide in the air and then transport it into the cells. To maintain the growth of algae. However, if the algae are in a place where there is sufficient carbon dioxide, such as soil, the nearby plant roots will release carbon dioxide, so that the two related genes will be shut down because the algae has obtained enough carbon dioxide.

Spalding's research shows that the production of seaweed biomass is significantly increased by the expression of these two genes. Earlier we were expected to increase production by 10%-20%, but did not expect to reach 50%-80% so much.

In the experiment, Spalding first separated the expression of the LCIA gene and the LCIB gene in order to make the algae produce more biomass. Each expression can significantly increase biomass by 10% to 15%. When these two genes are expressed together, the biomass increases by 50% to 80%. Spalding said: "The co-expression of these two genes can increase the amount of carbon dioxide that is converted into biomass by algae photosynthesis."

During photosynthesis, excess biomass is converted to starch. By using existing mutated gene technology, Spalding can induce algae to produce oil rather than starch. This process requires more energy and oil biomass production is expected to increase by 50%. It is reported that Spalding’s research funds are partly from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy.