Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology and genetic engineering strategies for microalgae towards carbon neutrality: A critical review

Carbon dioxide is the major greenhouse gas and regards as the critical issue of global warming and climate changes. The inconspicuous microalgae are responsible for 40% of carbon fixation among all photosynthetic plants along with a higher photosynthetic efficiency and convert the carbon into lipids, protein, pigments, and bioactive compounds. Genetic approach and metabolic engineering are applied to accelerate the growth rate and biomass of microalgae, hence achieve the mission of carbon neutrality. Meanwhile, CRISPR/Cas9 is efficiently to enhance the productivity of high-value compounds in microalgae for it is easier operation, more affordable and is able to regulate multiple genes simultaneously. The genetic engineering strategies provide the multidisciplinary concept to evolute and increase the CO2 fixation rate through Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle. Therefore, the technologies, bioinformatics tools, systematic engineering approaches for carbon neutrality and circular economy are summarized and leading one step closer to the decarbonization society in this review.

Automated summary

Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas and a critical issue for global warming and climate change. Microalgae, which are inconspicuous microorganisms, account for 40% of carbon fixation in photosynthetic plants and have higher photosynthetic efficiency. They convert carbon into various useful compounds. Genetic engineering and metabolic engineering are used to increase the growth rate and biomass of microalgae to achieve carbon neutrality. CRISPR/Cas9 is an efficient tool to enhance productivity in microalgae by regulating multiple genes simultaneously. This review summarizes the technologies, bioinformatics tools, and systematic engineering approaches for carbon neutrality and circular economy, bringing us closer to a decarbonized society.