Towards Genetic Modification of Microalgae Scenedesmus Dimorphus and chlorella spp Using Algae Apecific Vector

Abstract

Cultivation of microalgae for biofuels in general and oil production in particular is a promising approach but this technology still needs considerable research and development. Microalgae present in nature do not possess the desired qualities in much amount thus making them less potent for the production of biofuels. The objective of the study is to conduct the electroporation of the DGAT gene that catalyses the formation of Triacylglycerides from diacylglycerol and Acyl-CoA and is responsible for lipid accumulation in the microalgae Scenedesmus dimorphus and chlorella spp. and then checking if the transformation has occurred or not. We have used the pChlamy_1 vector which has gene DGAT for hygromycin resistance. Thus hygromycin is used as a selectable marker for checking the transformation. The concentration of hygromycin selected for Scenedesmus dimorphus was 40mg/l and 60mg/l was selected for chlorella spp. as this is the minimum concentration of the antibiotic at which the growth of the algae gets inhibited when plating of microalgae was done before transformation. The above protocol was applied in both the species of microalgae.