Harnessing algal biology for engineering photosynthesis and metabolism in plants.

Abstract

Photosynthesis underpins global food production and energy conversion across the biosphere and remains a central target for improving biological and agricultural productivity. Previous methods to improve photosynthetic efficiency in land plants include enhancing carbon fixation, bypassing photorespiration, and optimizing Rubisco efficiency; however, recent advances in algal biology reveal alternative strategies. Here, we review three key traits of algal biology with translational potential for plant biotechnology: chlorophyll c-based light-harvesting systems, pyrenoid-associated carbon-concentrating mechanisms, and high-value biosynthetic pathways. We highlight recent progress toward integrating these characteristics in planta, including engineering chlorophyll c biosynthesis, reconstructing components of pyrenoid-based carbon-concentrating mechanisms, and transferring biosynthetic pathways to produce nutritionally and industrially valuable metabolites. We also discuss the molecular tools enabling functional genomics in algae, which are accelerating the identification of novel candidate genes for crop engineering, as well as the challenges associated with translating algal traits into functional improvements in plants.