Genome Editing of a Macroalgae with Possible Global Impacts

Abstract

Kelp forests are major marine ecosystems and key sources of biodiversity comparable to tropical forests, as pointed out by Darwin on the Beagle in 1834: “Yet if in any country a forest was destroyed, I do not believe nearly so many species of animals would perish as would here, from the destruction of the kelp”. Despite the key roles supporting marine life, our understanding of their biology lags far behind that of land plants. Kelp mitigates the effects of climate change, sequesters CO2, reduces eutrophication while providing biomass for food, feed, and materials. Genome editing together with functional genomics can map genetic diversity potentials for temperature tolerance, important since they already face the upper tolerance limits in some regions. This chapter considers the major genome editing prerequisites; the transformation methods for introducing DNA/RNA and annotated genomes for predicting results. Risk assessments are discussed. These uses of genome editing show how widely applicable the techniques can be used from basic science to securing the global environment for our existence.