The increasing demand for novel natural compounds has prompted the exploration of innovative approaches in bioengineering. This study investigates the bioengineering potential of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum through the introduction of cannabis genes, specifically, tetraketide synthase (TKS), and olivetolic acid cyclase (OAC), for the production of the cannabinoid precursor, olivetolic acid (OA). P. tricornutum is a promising biotechnological platform due to its fast growth rate, amenability to genetic manipulation, and ability to produce valuable compounds. Through genetic engineering techniques, we successfully integrated the cannabis genes TKS and OAC into the diatom. P. tricornutum transconjugants expressing these genes showed the production of the recombinant TKS and OAC enzymes, detected via Western blot analysis, and the production of cannabinoids precursor (OA) detected using the HPLC/UV spectrum when compared to the wild-type strain. Quantitative analysis revealed significant olivetolic acid accumulation (0.6–2.6 mg/L), demonstrating the successful integration and functionality of the heterologous genes. Furthermore, the introduction of TKS and OAC genes led to the synthesis of novel molecules, potentially expanding the repertoire of bioactive compounds accessible through diatom-based biotechnology. This study demonstrates the successful bioengineering of P. tricornutum with cannabis genes, enabling the production of OA as a precursor for cannabinoid production and the synthesis of novel molecules with potential pharmaceutical applications.

Vanillin is the major organoleptic compound of the vanilla flavor. Since the extraction process from its natural source ( Vanilla planifolia ) is limited by a low yield, the market demand for vanillin is met by producing it through chemical synthesis or biotechnologically using microorganisms to convert ferulic acid, lignin, and guaiacol into vanillin. Our aim was to use the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum , a photosynthetic model organism already used to produce eukaryotic proteins and high-value compounds, to characterize V. planifolia vanillin synthase ( Vp VAN). This enzyme is the subject of conflicting results and was reported to be localized in the plastid of V. planifolia cells, which may play a role in its activity. For this purpose, we targeted Vp VAN linked by an in vitro cleavable sequence (Xa) to the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) to the cytoplasm, peroxisomes, plastid, and Golgi apparatus. We used an episomal expression system transforming P. tricornutum with VpVAN:Xa:eGFP by bacterial conjugation. Positive cell lines were selected by fluorescence and characterized by sequencing the episomes, confirming stable replication in the diatom, as well as assessing the subcellular localization in the targeted cell compartments. Strategies such as enriching GFP-positive cells by cell sorting, protein purification, and organelle isolation did not yield detectable levels of the fusion protein. A better understanding of the diatom expression system is needed to complete the characterization of this enzyme and reveal whether the subcellular localization could be a missing aspect of Vp VAN expression in microorganisms.

The 8th edition of the Annual Canadian Synthetic Biology Symposium (SynBio 8.0) was hosted at the University of Waterloo from June 15 to 17. It brought together around 140 attendees from across Canada, as well as international participants. Organized by the Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research (WCMR) alongside SynBio Canada, SynBio 8.0 captured both the range of the work underway and the energy running through Canada's synthetic biology community. Across the scientific program, topics moved from biomanufacturing and enzyme engineering to environmental microbiology, new tool development, and plant synthetic biology. Several keynote talks and panel discussions on practical issues were the center of the conference. Trainees learned about intellectual property, key aspects of starting companies, and how scientists can better communicate their work. This edition was marked by record-setting poster numbers, serving as a clear signal that the field is accelerating the pace in Canada. Here we gathered the main viewpoints that surfaced over the three days, offering a snapshot of a discipline that is increasingly varied, confident, and established nationwide.