These algae thrive under intense illumination and high temperatures in salt-water, making them promising systems for biotechnology in seawater.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many genetic manipulation tools were recently developed, including chloroplast and nuclear transformation, CRISPR gene-editing, and Cre-lox based recombination.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Transformants were generated capable of using noncanonical phosphorus or carbon sources; or having increased areal productivities due to pigment reduction.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Culturing regimes concurrently yielding high-starch biomass and high productivity have been developed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Biotechnological improvements are only beginning and valuable knowledge is emerging regarding outdoor growth potential and biomass conversion to sustainable products.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n The Picochlorum genus<\/em> is a distinctive eukaryotic green-algal clade that is the focus of several current biotechnological studies. It is capable of extremely rapid growth rates and has exceptional tolerances to high salinity, intense light, and elevated temperatures. Importantly, it has robust stability and high-biomass productivities in outdoor field trials in seawater. These features have propelled Picochlorum<\/em> into the spotlight as a promising model for both fundamental and biotechnological research. Recently, several genetic tools, including genome editing, were developed for these algae, enabling insights into Picochlorum<\/em> photophysiology and algal transformations for expanded capabilities. Here, we survey the Picochlorum genus<\/em>, its genetic toolbox, recently characterized transformants, and discuss the commercial potential of Picochlorum<\/em> as a salt-water photoautotrophic biocatalyst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/11\/gr1.jpg\")
Abstract<\/h3>\n\n\n\n