Microalgal Biotechnology

Dear Colleagues,

There is a growing interest in the opportunities that microalgae and cyanobacteria offer in industrial biotechnology as light-driven platforms for the production of valuable bio-products. These range from bulk products such as biofuels and animal feeds to high-value compounds for the cosmetics, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors. The extreme diversity amongst these phototrophic microorganisms provides a rich vein of novel compounds and biochemical pathways, although such bioprospecting is still in its infancy. Furthermore, the development of genetic engineering technologies for various platform species opens the door to domesticated or ‘designer’ strains with enhanced productivity of natural compounds, or low-cost synthesis of recombinant products including therapeutic proteins or bioactive metabolites. This special issue invites original research papers and reviews that cover all aspects of the field — from strain characterization and genetic enhancement, to cultivation technologies and downstream processing.

Prof. Saul Purton
Dr. Brenda Parker
Guest Editors

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