https://video.igem.org/videos/watch/d1abf2af-1c8d-42a2-80f5-8e0dbc396427 Title: DunaTerp: A Programmable Carotenoid Metabolic Platform Description: Terpenoids supply most natural food pigments and flavors, yet plant extraction suffers from low yield and high cost, while synthetic alternatives raise safety concerns. We developed DunaTerp, a food-grade terpenoid platform using Dunaliella salina — the only industrially cultivated microalga for natural β-carotene. D. salina already possesses a complete endogenous MEP pathway and efficiently expresses LCYB, natively accumulating β-carotene up to 14% of dry weight and bypassing costly precursor engineering. We introduce CPP transcription factors that simultaneously activate β-carotene synthesis and suppress competing branches, redirecting flux toward a shared β-carotene hub. Building on this hub, modular pipelines produce astaxanthin (BKT), β-ionone (CCD1), crocetin (GjCCD4a/GjALDH2C3), and β-citraurin (CitCCD4). For biocontainment, a salt-dependent mazE-mazF switch triggers cell death upon escape into low-salt environments. Interchangeable enzyme cassettes allow flexible adaptation to diverse terpenoid products, making DunaTerp a generalizable chassis for sustainable terpenoid supply. Wiki | Official Page Thu, 29 Oct 2026 22:23:08 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://video.igem.org https://video.igem.org/client/assets/images/icons/icon-1500x1500.png https://video.igem.org/videos/watch/d1abf2af-1c8d-42a2-80f5-8e0dbc396427 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://video.igem.org/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.