SKP1 Polypeptide Overexpression in Recombinant Microalgae

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microalgae biomass productivity is low, leading to high costs for algal biofuels and products, necessitating improvements in yield.

Innovation Solution

Overexpression of specific genes associated with the SCF complex, such as SKP1 polypeptides, in microorganisms like microalgae to enhance biomass and lipid productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional microalgal culture methods are used, then production costs are high, but biomass productivity remains low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiomass productivityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the expression level of cell cycle-regulating proteins through genetic engineering. Specifically, it involves overexpressing or downregulating proteins such as cyclins, CDKs, and SCF complex components to accelerate cell cycle progression and improve biomass productivity, thereby resolving the contradiction between low productivity and high production cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If biomass yield is increased, then production cost decreases, but cell cycle regulation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiomass yieldVSAvoidcell cycle regulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex cell cycle regulation into modular protein complexes (such as SCF complex with SKP1, CUL1, and F-box components) that can be independently manipulated. This allows targeted modification of specific regulatory pathways to enhance biomass yield while managing the complexity through structured, compartmentalized protein interactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3344776B1Rekombinant algal microorganism with increased productivity
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 SYNTHETIC GENOMICS INC
  • EP3344776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3344776B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3344776B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2E

AI summary

The application provides recombinant microorganisms with increased productivity with respect to control or wildtype microorganisms. The recombinant microorganisms can include a non-native gene encoding a SKPl polypeptide or a CHORD-derived polypeptide. Increased productivity can be increased biomass or lipid productivity. These recombinant microorganisms can be used to produce products of interest.