Microfluidic high-throughput selection of microalgal strains with superior photosynthetic productivity using competitive phototaxis

摘要: Microalgae possess great potential as a source of sustainable energy, but the intrinsic inefficiency photosynthesis is major challenge to realize this potential. Photosynthetic organisms evolved phototaxis find optimal light condition for photosynthesis. Here we report microfluidic screening using competitive model alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, rapid isolation strains with improved photosynthetic efficiencies. We demonstrated strong relationship between and efficiency by quantitative analysis phototactic response at single-cell level system. Based on positive relationship, enriched isolating cells showing fast responses from mixture 10,000 mutants, thereby greatly improving selection over 8 fold. Among 147 isolated after screening, 94.6% showed photoautotrophic growth parental strain. Two mutants much performances up 1.9- 8.1-fold increases in cell lipid production, respectively, substantial improvement previous approaches. identified candidate genes that might be responsible photosynthesis, which can useful target further strain engineering. Our approach provides powerful tool microalgal enhance productivity.