Cited by 305Microbial Metabolic Engineering and BioproductionAlgal biology and biofuel productionPhotosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms

Synthetic biology of cyanobacteria: unique challenges and opportunities

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Berla, Bertram M., Saha, Rajib, Immethun, Cheryl M., Maranas, Costas D., Moon, Tae Seok, Pakrasi, Himadri B.·2013·Frontiers in Microbiology

Abstract

Photosynthetic organisms, and especially cyanobacteria, hold great promise as sources of renewably-produced fuels, bulk and specialty chemicals, and nutritional products. Synthetic biology tools can help unlock cyanobacteria's potential for these functions, but unfortunately tool development for these organisms has lagged behind that for S. cerevisiae and E. coli. While these organisms may in many cases be more difficult to work with as "chassis" strains for synthetic biology than certain heterotrophs, the unique advantages of autotrophs in biotechnology applications as well as the scientific importance of improved understanding of photosynthesis warrant the development of these systems into something akin to a "green E. coli." In this review, we highlight unique challenges and opportunities for development of synthetic biology approaches in cyanobacteria. We review classical and recently developed methods for constructing targeted mutants in various cyanobacterial strains, and offer perspective on what genetic tools might most greatly expand the ability to engineer new functions in such strains. Similarly, we review what genetic parts are most needed for the development of cyanobacterial synthetic biology. Finally, we highlight recent methods to construct genome-scale models of cyanobacterial metabolism and to use those models to measure properties of autotrophic metabolism. Throughout this paper, we discuss some of the unique challenges of a diurnal, autotrophic lifestyle along with how the development of synthetic biology and biotechnology in cyanobacteria must fit within those constraints.

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Authors
Berla, B. M., Saha, R., Immethun, C. M., Maranas, C. D., Moon, T. S., & Pakrasi, H. B.
Affiliations
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
  • Pennsylvania State University (US)
Corresponding author
Pakrasi, Himadri B.
Venue
Frontiers in Microbiology
Published
2013
Volume
4
Pages
246-246
ISSN
1664-302X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2151104145
Cited by
305
References
117
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 35 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 1
FWCI
2.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Frontiers in Microbiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) (submittedVersion)
  • Lincoln (University of Nebraska) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation
  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • Office of Science
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
cyanobacteria, synthetic biology, genetic engineering, genetic parts, genome-scale metabolic models, autotrophic metabolism, photosynthesis, renewable fuels, chassis strain

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