Regulation of Oil Biosynthesis in Algae

Abstract

Microalgae produce triacylglycerols (TAGs) which can serve as feedstock for the production of bio-based aviation fuel. TAG accumulation is maximal following nutrient deprivation, when algae enter a state of quiescence accompanied by changes in metabolism and cessation of growth. The long term goal was to increase basic knowledge of lipid metabolism and its regulation in the green algae Chlamydomonas as a model to provide targets and strategies for the engineering of biotechnologically relevant microalgal strains for maximal production of TAGs. Specific accomplishments include the discovery of a galactolipase and of a lipid transport protein and their role in TAG accumulation leading to a revision of our understanding of lipid metabolism and lipid trafficking in microalgae.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 06, 2014
Accession Number
ADA610630

Entities

People

  • Christoph Benning

Organizations

  • Michigan State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Aviation Fuels
  • Biology
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Engineering
  • Fatty Acids
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Genetically Modified Organisms
  • Genetics
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Metabolism
  • Molecular Biology
  • Proteins

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Cellular and Molecular Pathways of Apoptosis.
  • Marine Ecotoxicology
  • Marine Mammal Biology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology