Division of Biotechnology and Life Science, Institute of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan.
Department of Advanced Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-8555, Japan.
Sci Rep. 2019 Aug 1;9(1):11200. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-47612-8.
Microalgal harvesting and dewatering are the main bottlenecks that need to be overcome to tap the potential of microalgae for production of valuable compounds. Water surface-floating microalgae form robust biofilms, float on the water surface along with gas bubbles entrapped under the biofilms, and have great potential to overcome these bottlenecks. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in the water surface-floating phenotype. In the present study, we analysed the genome sequence of a water surface-floating microalga Chlorococcum sp. FFG039, with a next generation sequencing technique to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Comparative genomics study with Chlorococcum sp. FFG039 and other non-floating green microalgae revealed some of the unique gene families belonging to this floating microalga, which may be involved in biofilm formation. Furthermore, genetic transformation of this microalga was achieved with an electroporation method. The genome information and transformation techniques presented in this study will be useful to obtain molecular insights into the water surface-floating phenotype of Chlorococcum sp. FFG039.
微藻的收获和脱水是开发微藻生产有价值化合物潜力的主要瓶颈。水面漂浮的微藻形成了坚固的生物膜，随着生物膜下的气泡一起漂浮在水面上，具有克服这些瓶颈的巨大潜力。然而，对于水面漂浮表型涉及的分子机制知之甚少。在本研究中，我们使用下一代测序技术分析了水面漂浮微藻 Chlorococcum sp.FFG039 的基因组序列，以阐明其潜在机制。与 Chlorococcum sp.FFG039 和其他非漂浮绿藻的比较基因组学研究揭示了一些属于这种漂浮微藻的独特基因家族，它们可能参与生物膜的形成。此外，我们还通过电穿孔法实现了该微藻的遗传转化。本研究提供的基因组信息和转化技术将有助于深入了解 Chlorococcum sp.FFG039 的水面漂浮表型。
Zotero 插件