Team:Cambridge-JIC/Motivation

Cambridge-JIC

OUR MOTIVATION...

I. Microalgal chlroplasts as an alternative expression system


Chloroplasts hold a massive potential as an alternative protein expression system, due to their outstanding expression yields, diversity of post-translational modifications and auto/mixotrophic lifestyles of plants and microalgae.


Various proteins have already been successfully expressed in chloroplasts, including:

  • monoclonal antibodies
  • antigens
  • anti-toxins
  • growth factors

Transgene expression in microalgae can total up to 30-50% of a cell’s dry biomass, as unlike in higher plants and mammals, metabolic energy in microalgae is not directed towards maintaining complex differentiated structures.


II. Microalgae chloroplasts as a model for higher plants

I. Microalgal chlroplasts as an alternative expression system