Synthetic biology in microalgae

Its mission:

Creating a micro-alga chassis for synthetic biology. Placing micro-algae among the key actors of the transition to bioeconomy.

Genome editing- Metabolic engineering- Synthesis biology- Micro-algae

Fayza Daboussi

– Director of research INRA – fayza.daboussi@insa-toulouse.fr Team created in 2015

Teachers and researchers: 1 Engineers: 1 Assistant engineers and technicians: 0 Post-doctoral and doctoral students: 4

Axis 1: Developing methodologies for genome engineering
Axis 2: Understanding the problem of genetic instability of strains subject to an industrialization process
Axis 3: Re-constructing the lipid metabolism
Axis 4: Producing new classes of carotenoids
Axe 5: Deriving new metabolic pathways

Optimizing the activity and specificity of genome engineering tools
Regulating and controlling the expression of genes controlling an artificial metabolic pathway
Increasing knowledge on cellular metabolism
Developing and improving the metabolic potential of micro-algae for producing molecules of interest

Production of molecules of interest for the following sectors:

Daboussi F, Leduc S, Maréchal A, Dubois G, Guyot V, Perez-Michaut C, Amato A, Falciatore A, Juillerat A, Beurdeley M, Voytas DF, Cavarec L, Duchateau P. (2014) Genome engineering empowers the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum for biotechnology. Nat Commun. 29; 5: 3831.
WO2014/076571A2: Method for targeted modification of algae genome. Duchateau P, Daboussi F.
WO/2014/207043 Modified diatoms for biofuel production. Duchateau P, Daboussi F, Sourdive D & Epinat JC