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Metabolic Engineering of Microalgae for Biofuel Production

  • Mohammad Pooya Naghshbandi
  • Meisam TabatabaeiEmail author
  • Mortaza AghbashloEmail author
  • Muhammad Nauman Aftab
  • Irfana Iqbal
Protocol
First Online:
Part of the Methods in Molecular Biology book series

Abstract

Microalgae are considered as promising cell factories for the production of various types of biofuels, including bioethanol, biodiesel, and biohydrogen by using carbon dioxide and sunlight. In spite of unique advantages of these microorganisms, the commercialization of microalgal biofuels has been hindered by poor economic features. Metabolic engineering is among the most promising strategies put forth to overcome this challenge. In this chapter, metabolic pathways involved in lipid and hydrogen production by microalgae are reviewed and discussed. Moreover, metabolic and genetic engineering approaches investigated for improving the rate of lipid (as a feedstock for biodiesel production) and biohydrogen synthesis are presented. Finally, genetic engineering tools and approaches employed for engineering microalgal metabolic pathways are elaborated. A thorough step-by-step protocol for reconstructing the metabolic pathway of various microorganisms including microalgae is also presented.

Keywords

Microalgae Biodiesel Biohydrogen Genetic engineering Metabolic engineering 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2019

Authors and Affiliations

  • Mohammad Pooya Naghshbandi
    • 1
  • Meisam Tabatabaei
    • 2
    • 3
    Email author
  • Mortaza Aghbashlo
    • 4
    Email author
  • Muhammad Nauman Aftab
    • 5
  • Irfana Iqbal
    • 6
  1. 1.Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology, College of ScienceUniversity of TehranTehranIran
  2. 2.Microbial Biotechnology DepartmentAgricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension Organization (AREEO)KarajIran
  3. 3.Biofuel Research Team (BRTeam)KarajIran
  4. 4.Department of Mechanical Engineering of Agricultural Machinery, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, College of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesUniversity of TehranKarajIran
  5. 5.Institute of Industrial BiotechnologyGovernment College UniversityLahorePakistan
  6. 6.Department of ZoologyLahore College for Women UniversityLahorePakistan

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