Transgenic Algae Plastoquinone Biosynthesis for Biomass

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for large-scale production of biofuels from algae face challenges in efficiency and scalability due to limitations in photosynthetic efficiency and biomass production, particularly in increasing plastoquinone levels and cell growth rates.

Innovation Solution

Transgenic photosynthetic cells, such as algae or plant cells, are engineered to express heterologous nucleic acids encoding prephenate dehydrogenase (PDH), homogentisate solanesyl transferase (HST), or deoxyxylulose phosphate synthase (DXS) proteins, which enhance plastoquinone production and biomass accumulation by optimizing the plastoquinone biosynthetic pathway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional algae cultivation methods are used, then biomass production occurs, but photosynthetic efficiency and plastoquinone levels remain insufficient for scalable biofuel production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplastoquinone levelsVSAvoidbiofuel production efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the plastoquinone biosynthetic pathway by introducing heterologous genes (pdh, hst, dxs) to alter enzyme activity and metabolic flux, thereby increasing plastoquinone levels and improving photosynthetic efficiency for scalable biofuel production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses plastoquinone as an intermediary molecule to enhance electron transport in the photosynthetic electron transport chain, which indirectly boosts biomass production and photosynthetic efficiency without directly manipulating growth conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If algae are grown under ideal conditions for rapid cell division, then biomass accumulation occurs, but plastoquinone levels and photosynthetic efficiency do not increase sufficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiomass accumulation rateVSAvoidplastoquinone levels

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous enhancement of photosynthetic efficiency by maintaining elevated plastoquinone levels through stable expression of heterologous genes, which sustains improved electron transport and biomass accumulation over time without requiring periodic stress induction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If stress conditions or photoheterotrophic growth are applied to increase lipid production, then energy-dense storage compounds are produced, but photosynthetic efficiency and plastoquinone levels may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelipid contentVSAvoidphotosynthetic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-enhances plastoquinone levels and photosynthetic efficiency through genetic modification before inducing stress conditions for lipid production, ensuring that the photosynthetic machinery remains robust and can support sustained biomass and lipid accumulation during stress periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The increased plastoquinone levels in transgenic cells improve photosynthetic efficiency, reduce non-photochemical quenching, and enhance biomass production, leading to higher yields and improved growth rates under fluctuating light conditions.

Implementation Method 1

express a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a prephenate dehydrogenase (PDH) protein, a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a homogentisate solanesyl transferase (HST) protein, a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a deoxyxylulose phosphate synthase (DXS) protein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastoquinone biosynthesis:

Implementation Method 2

transgenic photosynthetic cells (such as algae or plant cells)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotosynthesis: Photosynthesis

Implementation Method 3

Increasing the amount of PQ in a photosynthetic cell increases photosynthetic efficiency (for example by reducing non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) by the xanthophylls cycle but increase NPQ through direct quenching of chlorophyll excited states)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotosynthetic electron transport:

Data Source

PatentUS10106809B2Transgenic cells with increased plastoquinone levels and methods of use

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 TRIAD NATIONAL SECURITY LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are transgenic cells expressing a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a prephenate dehydrogenase (PDH) protein, a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a homogentisate solanesyl transferase (HST) protein, a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a deoxyxylulose phosphate synthase (DXS) protein, or a combination of two or more thereof. In particular examples, the disclosed transgenic cells have increased plastoquinone levels. Also disclosed are methods of increasing cell growth rates or production of biomass by cultivating transgenic cells expressing a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a PDH protein, a heterologous nucleic acid encoding an HST protein, a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a DXS protein, or a combination of two or more thereof under conditions sufficient to produce cell growth or biomass.