• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1597-1606
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• 2020

Transcription factor engineering to regulate multiple genes has shown promise in the field of microalgae genetic engineering. Here, we report the first use of transcription factor engineering in Chlorella sp. HS2, thought to have potential for producing biofuels and bioproducts. We identified seven endogenous bZIP transcription factors in Chlorella sp. HS2 and named them HSbZIP1 through HSbZIP7. We overexpressed HSbZIP1, a C-type bZIP transcription factor, in Chlorella sp. HS2 with the goal of enhancing lipid production. Phenotype screening under heterotrophic conditions showed that all transformants exhibited increased fatty acid production. In particular, HSbZIP1 37 and 58 showed fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yields of 859 and 1,052 mg/l, respectively, at day 10 of growth under heterotrophic conditions, and these yields were 74% and 113% higher, respectively, than that of WT. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the improved phenotypes, we identified candidate HSbZIP1-regulated genes via transcription factor binding site analysis. We then selected three genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and investigated mRNA expression levels of the genes by qRT-PCR. The result revealed that the possible HSbZIP1-regulated genes involved in fatty acid synthesis were upregulated in the HSbZIP1 transformants. Taken together, our results demonstrate that HSbZIP1 can be utilized to improve lipid production in Chlorella sp. HS2 under heterotrophic conditions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.136-145
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• 2020

Chlorella sp. HS2, which previously showed excellent performance in phototrophic cultivation and has tolerance for wide ranges of salinity, pH, and temperature, was cultivated heterotrophically. However, this conventional medium has been newly optimized based on a composition analysis using elemental analysis and ICP-OES. In addition, in order to maintain a favorable dissolved oxygen level, stepwise elevation of revolutions per minute was adopted. These optimizations led to 40 and 13% increases in the biomass and lipid productivity, respectively (7.0 and 2.25 g l^-1d^-1 each). To increase the lipid content even further, 12 h heat shock at 50℃ was applied and this enhanced the biomass and lipid productivity up to 4 and 17% respectively (7.3 and 2.64 g l^-1d^-1, each) relative to the optimized conditions above, and the values were 17 and 14% higher than ordinary lipid-accumulating N-limitation (6.2 and 2.31 g l^-1d^-1). On this basis, heat shock was successfully adopted in novel Chlorella sp. HS2 cultivation as a lipid inducer for the first time. Considering its fast and cost-effective characteristics, heat shock will enhance the overall microalgal biofuel production process.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.477-482
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• 1998

In the aquaculture industry, a photobioreactor (Pbr) with high productivity is a prerequisite for mass production of Chlorella sp., a feeding fry for Rotifer (Brachinous plicatilis). To enhance the productivity of Chlorella sp., model Pbrs such as Cylinder type, Spherical surface type, Half-spherical surface type, Plate type, Raceway pond type and Water-wheel type Pbr with different values of surface area exposed to light/culture volume (S/V) were manufactured, and the maximum specific growth rate (${\mu}_{max}$) and productivity of Chlorella vulgaris 211-11b at $25^{\circ}C$, pH 7.0 and 12,000 lux were compared each other. The ${\mu}_{max}$ and productivity were not proportional to S/V. Among the 6 model Pbrs, Half-spherical surface type Pbr showed the highest ${\mu}_{max}$ and productivity as 2.206 ($day^{-1}$) and 0.247($g^{{\ell}-1}day^{-1}$).