Abstract 2240 Screening for Increased Cyanobacterial Growth in a Mutant Library

Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) is a species of cyanobacteria that uses carbon dioxide, light, and water to create glucose and oxygen, and alongside an engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) can be used to create 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), a rocket propellant that can aid in the colonization of Mars. This engineered E. coli uses sugars created by A. platensis and carbon dioxide to create 2,3-BDO. This process is limited by the reduced growth rate of A. platensis in the presence of high glucose concentrations. A. platensis cells and growth media were purchased from University of Texas at Austin Culture Collection (UTEX 3086). A. platensis was grown in nutrient media for seven days under continuous (24-hour) 200 μmol m-2 s-1 light intensity, then was exposed to UV rays (UV-C 254nm, 15W, Philips) for 20 minutes in a sterile petri dish. The UV-irradiated cells were spread on Petri dishes with solid growth media and were grown under continuous light until colonies were formed. Individual colonies were picked and transferred to falcon tubes containing growth media supplemented with 40g/L glucose. The colonies were grown for seven days in falcon tubes and biomasses were estimated using a spectrometer at 680 nm wavelength. Subjecting A. platensis to UV-induced mutations created a mutant library, and we are currently screening the mutant library for strains with enhanced growth rates. Genetic analysis can be performed on mutant strains to engineer a highly productive variant, which can contribute to the sustainable production of 2,3-BDO, which can kickstart sustainable space travel.