Improving the photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae using high-throughput screening and next generation sequencing for increased biofuel yields Andreas Johansson, Mark Moore and Thomas Bibby, Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Center Richard Edwards, Matthew Terry, The Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton

Loss of energy through fluorescence and heat due to over absorption of light by surface cells. Over absorption of light Problem: Heat Fluorescence Sunlight Algal cells Depth Solution: Modify the structure of the light harvesting complex (LHC) that collects photons. Photosystem Thylakoid membrane LHC Lipid bilayer Contact:

A)Knowledge of LHC gene regulation is limited. B)Effective tools only available in a few species including C. reinhardtii. Available tools Why not targeted genetic engineering? Alternative approach A)High throughput based screening of candidates. B)Allows us to work with any species. Contact:

1) Random mutagenesis High throughput pipeline Selection of cells 2) High speed sorting Chemical agent causes point mutations in selected microalgae Flow cytometry based selection of cells 3) Culture selected cells Grow selected clonal cells and measure physiological properties 4) Transcriptomics Next generation sequencing of expressed genes 5) Data analysis Find differentially expressed genes involved in photosynthesis 6) Measure biomass Determine if the new lines of cells are suitable for biofuel production Contact: