Microalgae engineering & carbon fixation

Climate change and global warming are two critical issues to humans in the next generation. The accumulated greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfuric gas, and ozone influence atmospheric temperature by trapping and preventing the escape of excess solar heat close to the earth's surface. Amongst all, carbon dioxide emission is the main contributor to the greenhouse effect that impacts the environment.

Microalgae exist for over 200 million years and are extremely important for carbon fixation and the production of sustainable products. Various microalgae species exhibit notable carbon dioxide mitigation efficiency. In addition, light, pH, temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, and cultural conditions also affect microalgal dioxide uptake to produce biomass, pigments, proteins, lipid, and all high-end chemicals. Microalgae photosynthesis is highly efficient and fast-growing, and through photosynthesis, it helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Microalgae produce microalgae biomass through carbon sequestration as raw material, establish a platform technology for carbon dioxide reuse, and develop a biorefinery process with high-potential biochemicals as the target product.

Publications:

Zengling Ma,Wai Yan Cheah, I-Son Ng, Jo-Shu Chang*, Min Zhao*, Pau Loke Show* (2022) Microalgae-based biotechnological sequestration of carbon dioxide for net zero emissions. Trends in Biotechnology, Vol. xx, No. xx
Chiau-Sin Teng, Chengfeng Xue, Jia-Yi Lin, I-Son Ng* (2022) Towards high-level protein, beta-carotene, and lutein production from Chlorella sorokiniana using aminobutyric acid and pseudo seawater. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 184, 108473
Jia-Yi Lin, Sefli Sri Wahyu Effendi, I-Son Ng* (2022) Enhanced carbon capture and utilization (CCU) using heterologous carbonic anhydrase in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for lutein and lipid production. Bioresource Technology, 351: 127009
Jia-Yi Lin, Shih-I Tan, Ying-Chen Yi, Chuan-Chieh Hsiang, Chien-Hsiang Chang, Chun-Yen Chen, Jo-Shu Chang, I-Son Ng* (2022) High-level production and extraction of C-Phycocyanin from Cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 for antioxidation, antibacterial and lead adsorption. Environmental Research, 206, 112283
Tsung-Han Tsai, Jia-Yi Lin, I-Son Ng* (2022) Cooperation of phytoene synthase, pyridoxal kinase and carbonic anhydrase for enhancing carotenoids biosynthesis in genetic Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 104184
Chengfeng Xue, I-Son Ng* (2022) Sustainable production of 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana and Chlorella vulgaris as circular economy. Bioresource Technology, 343: 126089
Jia-Yi Lin#, Way-Rong Lin#, I-Son Ng* (2021) CRISPRa/i with Adaptive Single Guide Assisted Regulation DNA (ASGARD) mediated control of Chlorella sorokiniana to enhance lipid and protein production. Biotechnology Journal, 20;e2100514.
Jia-Yi Lin, I-Son Ng* (2021) Production, isolation and characterization of C-phycocyanin from a new halo-tolerant Cyanobacterium aponinum using seawater. Bioresource Technology, 342: 125946
Jia-Yi Lin, Chengfeng Xue, Shih-I Tan, I-Son Ng* (2021) Pyridoxal kinase PdxY mediated carbon dioxide assimilation to enhance the biomass in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CC-400. Bioresource Technology, 322: 124530.