Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, researchers have successfully engineered stable Euglena. CRISPR/Cas9 alters Euglena to develop possible biofuel source mutants capable of producing wax esters with improved cold flow properties, making them ideal for biofuel feedstock.
| Date | September 13, 2024 |
| Source | Osaka Metropolitan University |
| Summary | Mutant microalgae generate wax esters for biofuel feedstock with enhanced cold flow. |
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How CRISPR/Cas9 alters Euglena to develop a possible biofuel source
- News about biofuels often mentions used cooking oil as a feedstock, but if it contains animal fat, it can solidify in cold temperatures. This occurs because the fatty acids in these and other saturated fats have long carbon chains with single bonds. That’s where Euglena comes in.
- A team from Osaka Metropolitan University has discovered a way for one species of this microalgae to produce wax esters with shorter carbon chains.
- Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, Dr. Masami Nakazawa and her team from the Graduate School of Agriculture’s Department of Applied Biochemistry successfully engineered stable mutants of Euglena gracilis.
- These mutants produced wax esters with carbon chains two atoms shorter than the wild-type species, improving the cold flow properties of the esters, and making them more suitable for biofuel feedstock.
- Euglena gracilis is particularly favorable for biofuel production due to its ease of growth via photosynthesis and its anaerobic production of wax esters.
- This achievement is expected to be a foundational technology to replace some petroleum-based wax ester production with biological alternatives.
FAQ on CRISPR/Cas9 alters Euglena to develop a possible biofuel source
1. What is Euglena gracilis?
Euglena gracilis is a single-celled organism that belongs to the genus Euglena. It is a type of microalgae that can live in both fresh and saltwater. It is unique because it combines characteristics of both plants and animals. Like plants, it can photosynthesize, while it also moves and feeds like an animal.
2. What makes Euglena gracilis special?
Euglena gracilis is known for its adaptability, able to survive in different environments through photosynthesis or by absorbing nutrients from its surroundings. This adaptability makes it of interest for various applications, including biotechnology, biofuel production, and food supplements.
3. What is CRISPR/Cas9?
CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful tool for genome editing that allows scientists to make precise, targeted changes to an organism’s DNA. CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a natural defense mechanism in bacteria, and Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) is an enzyme that can cut DNA at a specific location. Together, they act like molecular scissors to edit genes.
4. How does CRISPR/Cas9 work?
CRISPR/Cas9 uses a small piece of RNA (guide RNA) that matches the DNA sequence to be modified. The Cas9 enzyme follows the guide RNA to the specific DNA location and then cuts the DNA at that point. Once the DNA is cut, the cell’s repair mechanisms either disable the gene or allow new genetic material to be inserted.
5. What are the main applications of CRISPR/Cas9?
CRISPR/Cas9 is used in a wide range of fields, including:
Medicine: For gene therapy, correcting genetic disorders, and studying disease mechanisms.
Agriculture: To create genetically modified crops that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental conditions.
Research: For basic science studies on gene function and development.
Biotechnology: To engineer microbes or other organisms for industrial purposes, including biofuel production.