Baart, G.J.E.

Fabris, M.

Goossens, A.

Matthijs, M.

Vyverman, W.

Open Marine Archive

Enhancing diatom lipid production through metabolic engineering, 
first phases  
Matthijs Michiel1,2,3, Michele Fabris1,2,3, Gino Baart1,2,3, Alain Goossens1,2 and Wim Vyverman3  
1 Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium 
E-mail: mimat@psb.vib-ugent.be  
2 Department of Plant Biotechnology and Genetics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 
Ghent, Belgium  
3 Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium 
 
The biological productivity of marine heterokonts, and specifically diatoms, is one of the major 
contributors to the marine foodweb. In growth limiting conditions diatoms store energy and carbon 
in the form of lipids. Despite the fact that part of these lipids are nutritionally beneficial omega-3 
polyunsaturated fatty acids, they are not yet directly employed for human or animal consumption. 
One of the main reasons is the limited diatom lipid productivity which limits their economic 
potential. In this project we will attempt to remedy this problem through genetic engineering to 
increase lipid productivity. We are aiming to identify the key regulator genes that drive lipid 
synthesis. Our methodology is based on functional genomics and focuses on the model diatom 
Phaeodactylum tricornutum, as it genome has been sequenced and stable transformation is 
possible. We are using RNA-seq to sequence the transcriptome of P. tricornutum during stress 
conditions that induce lipid synthesis and we will compare these transcriptome profiles with an 
exponentially growing control. In this way we map the metabolic reprogramming that cells undergo 
during the switch from growth towards carbon storage and lipid production in particular. Since we 
are mainly interested in the regulators of this program and, to a lesser degree, in the enzymes 
actually effectuating this change we are performing our analysis during the first 24 hours of growth 
under limiting conditions. In the second phase of the project we will attempt to activate this 
program during conditions that favor exponential growth. It is our goal to get the diatoms to 
continue growing while also investing into lipid production. The first results show that 
P. tricornutum lipid productivity can be enhanced above baseline conditions through 
overexpression of genes as proven by ectopic overexpression of an endogenous malic enzyme 
isoform. Preliminary transcriptome analysis using cDNA-AFLP shows that 2-5% of genes respond to 
growth adverse growth conditions. Furthermore our detailed metabolic analysis shows that there 
are quantitative changes detectable in chrysolaminaran and lipid storage products. These changes 
appear to be coupled to cell cycle progression. While commercially relevant production has not yet 
been achieved, it is clear that important insights into physiological stresses will be gained through 
this project.  
 
 
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Enhancing diatom lipid production through metabolic engineering, first phases

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