NANNOMEGA7
Development of a Nannochloropsis gaditana strain enriched in palmitoleic acid.
Context
The production of oil enriched in omega‑7 monounsaturated fatty acids, particularly palmitoleic acid (C16:1 ω7), represents a significant agro‑economic priority due to emerging therapeutic and industrial applications—for example, as a precursor for the synthesis of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).
Objectives
The objective of this project is to develop, via a biotechnological approach, the first microalgal platform dedicated to the production of C16:1 ω7, increasing the content of palmitoleic acid in the oil of Nannochloropsis gaditana.
Expected results
Identification of coding sequences for ∆9 palmitoyl‑ACP desaturases in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome and functional characterization of the corresponding enzymes.
Expression of the identified sequences in N. gaditana.
Detection of pseudocoding regions upstream of a gene of interest in N. gaditana and identification of a novel subcellular targeting sequence.
Target markets
- Agri-food
- Health
Components involved
- UMR 1318 IJPB
- UMR 5168 LPCV