Project description
Carotenoid production by phytoplankton
Carotenoids are natural pigments found in plants, algae, and some bacteria, providing vibrant colours to fruits, vegetables, and flowers. These compounds are crucial in photosynthesis and function as antioxidants, safeguarding cells against oxidative stress and free radical damage. However, their complex biosynthesis poses a challenge to producing sufficient yields for commercial use. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SORTED project aims to use microalgae and especially diatoms to produce carotenoids. Researchers will focus on specific enzymes and redesign biosynthetic pathways to improve carotenoid yield. The project is expected to unlock new insights into diatom biotechnology, paving the way for advanced applications in both industry and research.
Objective
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.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
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Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinator
5230 Odense M
Denmark