Genome Editing Towards Efficient and Robust Green Cell Factories, CyanoEd

Important results from the project

The project objectives have been met; CRISPRi has been established as a technology to modify cyanobacteria at the "genome level" (proof-of-concept). Using this technology, increased production of the hydrocarbon isobutanol from CO2 and solar energy was observed in the modified cyanobacterium. The results are summarized in a scientific manuscript (Xie et al 2025) submitted for publication.

Expected long term effects

The ability to modify cyanobacteria on a large scale at the "genome level" is of fundamental importance for creating the best modified cyanobacteria for biotechnological applications in the future. By using different CRISPR techniques, such as CRISPRi and CRISPRa, knowledge will be established in the long term on how to modify cyanobacteria for maximum production of hydrocarbons from CO2 and solar energy.

Approach and implementation

The project was implemented and developed according to plan. First, enzymatic steps to down-regulate for increased isobutanol production were identified. Then, the genetic elements needed to implement the potential down-regulation in cyanobacteria cells were created to finally experimentally analyze the effect of these down-regulations and identify which enzymatic steps whose down-regulation resulted in the largest increase in isobutanol production from CO2 and solar energy.