Summary
Carotenoids, prized for their antioxidant properties, are essential precursors for crucial human vitamins and, in plants and algae, they play roles in light absorption and photoprotection against excessive light-induced damage to photosynthesis. However, it is very challenging to achieve carotenoid market- required yields. Carotenoids complex chemical synthesis in fact, limits the possibility to obtain them artificially while in plants (i.e., the main natural producers) excessive carotenoids in chloroplasts can disrupt thylakoid membranes, making biotechnological manipulation aimed to increase carotenoid yield particularly hard.
To address this problem, a sustainable approach is crucial, and microalgae offer a promising solution as natural, scalable carotenoid producers. A novel strategy involves repurposing cellular factories to overcome chloroplast limitations for carotenoid biosynthesis and accumulation. Diatoms, like Phaeodactylum tricornutum, are ideal candidates due to their multiple cellular compartments, including the periplastidial compartment (PPC), suitable for carotenoid storage, and access to precursors synthesized through various cellular pathways.
Moreover, diatoms excel as synthetic biology platforms with efficient genetic tools, modular DNA assembly, and genome editing capabilities.
The SORTED project aims to advance understanding through a multifaceted approach. Firstly, we will investigate prenyltransferases (PTSs) in P. tricornutum's cytosol to unveil their role in carotenoid precursor synthesis (Objective 1). Subsequently, rational redesign will enable the extraplastidial relocation of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway (Objective 2). Furthermore, we will assess the physiological implications of genetic modifications on performance (Objective 3). Through SORTED, we anticipate gaining innovative insights into diatom carotenoid production, revolutionizing both biotechnology and our fundamental understanding of cellular dynamics.
To address this problem, a sustainable approach is crucial, and microalgae offer a promising solution as natural, scalable carotenoid producers. A novel strategy involves repurposing cellular factories to overcome chloroplast limitations for carotenoid biosynthesis and accumulation. Diatoms, like Phaeodactylum tricornutum, are ideal candidates due to their multiple cellular compartments, including the periplastidial compartment (PPC), suitable for carotenoid storage, and access to precursors synthesized through various cellular pathways.
Moreover, diatoms excel as synthetic biology platforms with efficient genetic tools, modular DNA assembly, and genome editing capabilities.
The SORTED project aims to advance understanding through a multifaceted approach. Firstly, we will investigate prenyltransferases (PTSs) in P. tricornutum's cytosol to unveil their role in carotenoid precursor synthesis (Objective 1). Subsequently, rational redesign will enable the extraplastidial relocation of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway (Objective 2). Furthermore, we will assess the physiological implications of genetic modifications on performance (Objective 3). Through SORTED, we anticipate gaining innovative insights into diatom carotenoid production, revolutionizing both biotechnology and our fundamental understanding of cellular dynamics.
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| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101149868 |
| Start date: | 01-11-2024 |
| End date: | 31-10-2026 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 214 934,00 Euro |
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Original description
Carotenoids, prized for their antioxidant properties, are essential precursors for crucial human vitamins and, in plants and algae, they play roles in light absorption and photoprotection against excessive light-induced damage to photosynthesis. However, it is very challenging to achieve carotenoid market- required yields. Carotenoids complex chemical synthesis in fact, limits the possibility to obtain them artificially while in plants (i.e., the main natural producers) excessive carotenoids in chloroplasts can disrupt thylakoid membranes, making biotechnological manipulation aimed to increase carotenoid yield particularly hard.To address this problem, a sustainable approach is crucial, and microalgae offer a promising solution as natural, scalable carotenoid producers. A novel strategy involves repurposing cellular factories to overcome chloroplast limitations for carotenoid biosynthesis and accumulation. Diatoms, like Phaeodactylum tricornutum, are ideal candidates due to their multiple cellular compartments, including the periplastidial compartment (PPC), suitable for carotenoid storage, and access to precursors synthesized through various cellular pathways.
Moreover, diatoms excel as synthetic biology platforms with efficient genetic tools, modular DNA assembly, and genome editing capabilities.
The SORTED project aims to advance understanding through a multifaceted approach. Firstly, we will investigate prenyltransferases (PTSs) in P. tricornutum's cytosol to unveil their role in carotenoid precursor synthesis (Objective 1). Subsequently, rational redesign will enable the extraplastidial relocation of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway (Objective 2). Furthermore, we will assess the physiological implications of genetic modifications on performance (Objective 3). Through SORTED, we anticipate gaining innovative insights into diatom carotenoid production, revolutionizing both biotechnology and our fundamental understanding of cellular dynamics.
Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01-01Update Date
24-11-2024
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