The urgent need for sustainable and renewable energy sources has led to growing interest in microalgae as a promising platform for next-generation biofuel production. Algae possess high lipid content and rapid growth rates, making them ideal candidates for biodiesel synthesis. However, commercial-scale production remains limited by suboptimal lipid yields and insufficient understanding of the underlying cellular and developmental mechanisms driving lipid biosynthesis.

This Research Topic aims to explore the intersection of developmental biology and metabolic engineering to enhance lipid accumulation in algal cells. We invite contributions that investigate the molecular pathways regulating cell differentiation, division, and organelle biogenesis—particularly the development and dynamics of lipid droplets, plastids, and endoplasmic reticulum in algal species. Studies employing genetic engineering to manipulate transcription factors, signaling cascades, or stress-response elements that influence lipid metabolism are of particular interest.

Additionally, we seek work that integrates computational modeling, CRISPR-based genome editing, and synthetic biology approaches to redesign biosynthetic pathways for improved carbon flux toward lipid storage. Understanding how developmental cues such as nutrient limitation, light, or temperature modulate cell fate and metabolic reprogramming will be critical to optimizing biofuel output.

By bridging cell and developmental biology with engineering innovations, this collection aims to offer new insights into the systems-level regulation of algal lipid biosynthesis and to pave the way for scalable, eco-friendly bioenergy solutions.

We welcome submissions on topics including, but not limited to:

• Cell fate regulation and differentiation in lipid-accumulating algal species

• Developmental biology of organelles involved in lipid biosynthesis

• Genetic and metabolic engineering to enhance lipid production pathways

• CRISPR/Cas9 and other genome-editing tools in algal biotechnology

• Synthetic biology approaches to optimize biofuel precursors

• Systems biology of algal development under varying environmental conditions

• Scale-up studies linking cellular mechanisms to industrial biofuel yields

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Developmental and Engineering Strategies for Optimizing Algal Lipid Biosynthesis in Sustainable Biofuel Production