Modified Cyanobacteria for Producing Carotenoids
AssigneeMatrix Genetics, LLC
InventorsMark Heinnickel, James Roberts
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Abstract
This disclosure describes modified photosynthetic microorganisms, including Cyanobacteria that produce carotenoids, including zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, and/or canthaxanthin. The modifications include one or more genetic modifications such as gene deletion, up regulation of an endogenous gene, and/or addition of an exogenous gene. In some embodiments the modified photosynthetic microorganisms may be subjected to stress conditions.
Claims31
A method of producing a carotenoid, the method comprising:
- culturing a modified Cyanobacterium, the modified Cyanobacterium having decreased glycogen production;
- and
- subjecting the modified Cyanobacterium to a stress condition during culturing, wherein the modified Cyanobacterium when subjected to the stress condition produces the carotenoid at a level greater than the corresponding wild-type Cyanobacterium subject to the same stress condition.
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A modified Cyanobacterium comprising:
- a deleted or inactivated glycogen pathway gene,
- wherein the modified Cyanobacterium, when subjected to a stress condition, produces a carotenoid at a level greater than the corresponding wild-type Cyanobacterium subject to the same stress condition.
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A method for generating modified Cyanobacterium, the method comprising:
- deleting or inhibiting a glycogen pathway gene or addition of a regulatable, exogenous promoter that controls transcription of the glycogen pathway gene;
- and
- adding an exogenous polynucleotide encoding an enzyme involved in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway;
- wherein the modified Cyanobacterium produces a carotenoid at a level greater than the corresponding wild-type Cyanobacterium.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.