Model directed phycocyanin over-production in blooming algal cell-factories

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Regulating the metabolic expression of photosynthetic microorganisms offers the possibility of producinghigh-value chemicals directly from sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. Despite a plethora of phenotypic andmolecular information, only a few cyanobacterial isolates have been developed into tractable genetic systemswith associated genome-scale metabolic models. This limits the number of strains that can be used as platformchemical producers. AlgaBloom International, a Vancouver-based biotech company specializing in bioreactordesign and cynaobacterial cell growth, is interested in developing their specific strain of Spirulina, optimizedfor high growth yields, as a platform chemical producer to extend their market range and profitability. Throughthe application of genome-scale metabolic modeling techniques and controlled laboratory growth experiments,this project aims to redirect metabolite flow through desired biosynthetic pathways in Spirulina. During thisphase of the project we will specifically focus on genome sequencing and model directed over-production ofphycocyanin, a valuable photosynthetic pigment with multiple applications in the food, medical andinstrumentation industries. Predicted overproduction phenotypes will be tested at both bench- and pilot-scalesand an optimized phycocyanin extraction and purification protocol will be developed for AlgaBloom.