Abstract
OPINION article Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 21 April 2014Sec. Synthetic Biology https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2014.00007
Highlights
BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGYCyanobacteria as an experimental platform for modifying bacterial and plant photosynthesis
One of the fascinating characteristics of photosynthesis is its capacity for repair, self-renewal, and energy storage within chemical bonds
New genetic engineering toolkits, including marker-less gene deletion and replacement strategies needing only a single transformation step (Viola et al, 2014) and novel approaches for chromosomal integration and expression of synthetic gene operons (Bentley et al, 2014), allow for large-scale replacement and/or integration of dozens of genes in reasonable time frames. This makes Synechocystis a very attractive basis for the experimental modification of important processes like photosynthesis, and it suggests innovative ways of improving modules of related eukaryotic pathways, among them the combination of cyanobacterial and eukaryotic elements using the tools of synthetic biology
Summary
Cyanobacteria as an experimental platform for modifying bacterial and plant photosynthesis. New genetic engineering toolkits, including marker-less gene deletion and replacement strategies needing only a single transformation step (Viola et al, 2014) and novel approaches for chromosomal integration and expression of synthetic gene operons (Bentley et al, 2014), allow for large-scale replacement and/or integration of dozens of genes in reasonable time frames. This makes Synechocystis a very attractive basis for the experimental modification of important processes like photosynthesis, and it suggests innovative ways of improving modules of related eukaryotic pathways, among them the combination of cyanobacterial and eukaryotic elements using the tools of synthetic biology. Redesigning plant PS will require novel model organisms in which such concepts can be implemented, tested, and reiteratively improved
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
