Algal Biotechnology and its Importance in Agriculture

Description

Biotechnology is already employed in sequencing and annotating the genomes of algal species. Genomic data aids researchers in understanding the metabolic processes through which algae convert carbon and nutrients into lipids or carbohydrates. Greater understanding of algal metabolism and reactions to growth conditions will inform further research. Genetic engineering techniques currently used in plant and microbial biotechnology, including synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, are then employed to enable algae to more predictably produce desired lipids for biofuels, alcohols, proteins, enzymes and other molecules, or carbohydrate-rich biomass for bioprocessing. The booktreats the biological fundamentals of microalgal biotechnology in physiology and molecular biology and provides an overview of applications and products. It furthermore includes a survey of the state-of-the-art in process engineering of algae cultivation starting with mass production in open ponds and leading you to advanced technologies in closed photobioreactors. Thus crucial enabling technologies reaching from genetic manipulation to bioprocess engineering are reviewed. This book will be of interest to active people in biology, biotechnology, and engineering in the area of sustainable production of high value products or mass production of food and fuel for the future.