Transgenic Microalgae as Green Cell Factories

CONTENTS 1. NUCLEAR TRANSFORMATION OF EUKARYOTIC MICROALGAE: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROBLEMS ................................................ 1 Rosa León and Emilio Fernández Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Microalgae Groups Transformed ....................................................................................... 2 Methods for Microalgae Transformation .......................................................................... 4 Characteristics of the Transformation Process ................................................................. 6 DNA Constructions Used in Transformation .................................................................... 6 Difficulties for Stable Expression of the Transgenes ........................................................ 8 Concluding Remarks ........................................................................................................... 8 2. TRANSFORMATION OF CYANOBACTERIA......................................... 12 Agustín Vioque Abstract .............................................................................................................................. 12 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 12 Transformation of Cyanobacteria .................................................................................... 13 Applications ....................................................................................................................... 14 3. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND THEBIOTECHNOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF DIATOMS .............................................................. 23 Peter Kroth Abstract .............................................................................................................................. 23 Diatom Biology .................................................................................................................. 23 Genetic Manipulation of Diatoms .................................................................................... 25 Biochemistry of Diatoms and Technological Applications ............................................. 29 Synthesis of Fatty Acids .................................................................................................... 29 Biomineralization .............................................................................................................. 30 Concluding Remarks ......................................................................................................... 31 00LeonAEMB 9 8/13/07, 9:53 AM x Contents 4. TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR CHLOROPLAST TRANSFORMATION OF CHLAMYDOMONAS........................... 34 Saul Purton Abstract .............................................................................................................................. 34 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 34 Delivery of DNA into the Chloroplast Compartment .................................................... 36 Integration of Transforming DNA ................................................................................... 37 Polyploidy and the Problems of Heteroplasmy ............................................................... 39 Selection Strategies ....................................................