Cited by 5Microbial Metabolic Engineering and BioproductionAlgal biology and biofuel productionPhotosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms

Adaptation and synthetic biology of the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus for sustainable development: a review

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Meng, Weizhao, Xia, Mengsheng, Hu, Jingyan, Wang, Chao, Qian, Cheng, Zhang, Mingmin, Fu, Weiqi·2025·Frontiers in Marine Science

Abstract

Synechococcus elongatus is a model cyanobacterium with remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental stresses, making it a promising candidate for the photoautotrophic conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. This review explores the adaptive mechanisms that allow S. elongatus to survive under various abiotic stresses, such as changes in CO 2 levels, heavy metals, and light conditions. We also highlight recent advancements in synthetic biology that have enabled the engineering of S. elongatus to produce biofuels and other value-added compounds, including fatty acids, alcohols, and carotenoids. Additionally, we discuss the applications of modern omics techniques to elucidate the genetic basis of stress tolerance and metabolic regulation. Despite the promising potential of S. elongatus for industrial applications, challenges remain in scaling up production, enhancing genetic stability, and optimizing bioreactor systems. Finally, we provide insights into future directions, including the integration of genome engineering, system-level modeling, and co-culture strategies, to improve the efficiency of cyanobacterial cell factories for sustainable biotechnology applications.

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  • Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is widely utilised due to its natural competence and high amenability to genetic manipulation, whereas Synechococcus species are often preferred for their relatively rapid growth rates and well-characterised physiology.

    “Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is widely utilised due to its natural competence and high amenability to genetic manipulation, whereas Synechococcus species are often preferred for their relatively rapid growth rates and well-characterised physiology [21,22].”

    From Cyanobacteria as a Photosynthetic Chassis for Metabolic Pathway Engineering with Heterologous Gene Expression (2026) · cites this paper as [22]

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  1. Behrenfeld, M. J., and Bale, A. J. (1996). Confirmation of iron limitation of phytoplankton photosynthesis in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Nature. 333 (6600):508-511. doi: 10.1126/science.289.5480.765 · DOI
  2. 1c00492 · DOI
  3. c9en00807a · DOI
  4. BF00441199 · DOI
  5. mi6111454 · DOI
  6. 1c00364 · DOI
  7. add9485 · DOI

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Authors
Meng, W., Xia, M., Hu, J., Wang, C., Qian, C., Zhang, M., & Fu, W.
Affiliations
  • Zhejiang University (CN)
  • Tianjin University (CN)
  • University of Iceland (IS)
Corresponding author
Fu, Weiqi
Venue
Frontiers in Marine Science
Published
2025-06-03
Volume
12
ISSN
2296-7745 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4411006148
Cited by
5
References
94
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2
FWCI
0.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Marine Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Natural Science Foundation of China (U23A2034)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
Keywords
Anacystis nidulans, cyanobacteria, stress tolerance, abiotic stress adaptation, CO2 fixation, heavy metal stress, light stress, synthetic biology, biofuel production, fatty acid production, carotenoid production, omics, metabolic regulation, genome editing, system-level modeling, co-culture, sustainable biotechnology

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