Metabolic Engineering

INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY  / Biofuels and Industrial Biotechnology

Research Interests

Climate Change, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), Space Biomanufacturing, Astaxanthin, Terpenoids Drug Biosynthesis, Synthetic Biology.

Description of Research

Our Group is dedicated to using synthetic biology to genetically alter microalgae as an innovative solution to global challenges such as climate change. We have active research collaborations with several major companies, including Reliance Industries Ltd., Tata Steel, Chennai Petroleum Chemical Limited (CPCL), Aban Infrastructure Pvt Ltd., and the Indian Space Agency.

Astaxanthin Production

Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant, often referred to as “gold” among carotenoids due to its superior health benefits for humans. It is used in nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and animal feed. Currently, only about 5% of the world’s astaxanthin comes from natural sources. We have isolated a unique strain of microalgae, Dysmorphococcus globosus-HI, that naturally produces double the amount of astaxanthin compared to commercial strains. Using synthetic biology, we are working to enhance this production.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

To help reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, we are developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from renewable sources such as algae. The European Union has mandated that airlines progressively increase their use of SAF to reach 70% by 2050. We have genetically engineered a microalgal strain, Euglena, that directly produces hydrocarbons (alkanes), which are ideal for use as drop-in jet fuel.

Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU)

We have engineered a microalgae strain using RNA interference (RNAi) to address the toxicity of high carbon dioxide (CO2​) concentrations in industrial flue gas. This allows RNAi mutant strains to thrive in CO2 levels of above 5% to 18% or more. Such high concentrations of CO2 are lethal to most of the natural algae. As a critical safety feature, the RNAi mutant microalgae cannot survive in ambient atmospheric or aquatic conditions, preventing ecological disruption. This genetic alteration makes them highly effective for capturing and utilising industrial CO2​. The strain exhibits superior productivity, accumulating 4 to 6 times more biomass than the wild type. Furthermore, the high-CO2​ environment ensures axenic cultivation by naturally deterring grazers and microbial contaminants. The resulting biomass is a versatile feedstock for producing bio-crude oil for biofuel and biochar that serves as a biofertiliser, improves soil health, and fixes carbon.

Space Biomanufacturing

Our research investigates the integration of microalgae into bioregenerative life-support systems for long-duration space missions. Microalgae can establish a nearly closed-loop system by providing nutrient-rich food, recycling crew waste, converting exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2​), and producing oxygen. We are also exploring how spaceflight stressors, such as microgravity and cosmic radiation, might stimulate the production of valuable compounds in edible algae for potential pharmaceutical and health applications. We are now studying the effects of microgravity on three edible microalgae species. We have developed a genetically engineered microalgae with enhanced tolerance for high-CO2​ environments, which can be tested for survivability in a simulated Martian atmosphere containing 95% CO2​.

Recent Publications

Patents