Synthetic Genomics, Inc.

Viridos, Inc.

Roberto Spreafico

John Verruto

Imad Ajjawi

Fedor I Kuzminov

Randor R Radakovits

Eric R Moellering

Moena Aqui

Andrew Schultz

Saheed Imam

Nicholas Bauman

Kathleen Kwok

Shaun Bailey

Jennifer Nominati

William F Lambert

Sarah Potts

Jessica Greiner

June Elizabeth Pais

Disclosed herein are mutant photosynthetic microorganisms having an attenuated SGI1 gene. The mutants have reduced chlorophyll and increased productivity with respect to wild type cells. Also disclosed are methods of using such mutants for producing biomass or bioproducts, and methods of screening for such mutants.

High productivity algal mutants having reduced photosynthetic antenna

The present application relates to the identification of novel DNA methyltransferases including CHG methylation in algal species. The present application relates to algal mutants permitting the expression of exogenous genes by alleviating the epigenetic mechanisms of CHG and CHH methylation of exogenous DNA and mono- and tri-methylation of lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9). This is achieved by mutating or attenuating the methyltransferase (MTase) genes in algae. The present application also relates to methods for efficiently expressing exogenous genes in algal species.

Avoiding epigenetic silencing of exogenous nucleic acid in algae

Mutant photosynthetic organisms having reduced chlorophyll and increased photosynthetic efficiency are provided. The mutant strains have mutated or attenuated: chloroplastic SRP54 gene and SGI1 gene; chloroplastic SRP54 gene and SGI2 gene; chloroplastic SRP54 gene, SGI1, and SGI2 genes are disclosed. The mutant photosynthetic organisms exhibit increased productivity with respect to wild-type strains. Also provided are mutant photosynthetic organisms having mutated or attenuated cytosolic SRP54 genes. Provided herein are methods of producing biomass and other products such as lipids using strains having mutations in an SRP54 gene, SGI1, SGI2 genes, a combination of SGI1/SRP54, and a combination of SGI2 and SRP54 genes. Also included are constructs and methods for attenuating or disrupting SRP54, SGI1, and SGI2 genes.

Genetic modulation of photosynthetic organisms for improved growth

Disclosed herein are mutant photosynthetic microorgnaisms having an attenuated SGI1 gene. The mutants have reduced chlorophyll and increased productivity with respect to wild type cells. Also disclosed are methods of using such mutants for producing biomass or bioproducts, and methods of screening for such mutants.

Growing community of inventors

La Jolla, CA, United States of America

Roberto Spreafico