Microbiota associated with the large-scale outdoor cultivation of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002

The model euryhaline cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 has potential as a platform for biotechnological applications because of its genetic amenability and fast growth rates. purpose this work was to measure the outdoor productivity metrics 7002, which we tested by cultivation in 110 L flat-panel photobioreactors 1025 open raceway ponds at Algae Testbed Public Private Partnership (ATP3) algae culturing testbed site Arizona Center Technology Innovation (AzCATI). This carried out during summer growing season when ambient temperatures light availability are highest support maximum photoautotrophic biomass yields. Modifications traditional A+ laboratory media included use urea nitrogen source, CO2 sparging automated pH control ponds. showed robust photobioreactors, suited containment modified organisms; however, open-raceway pond system challenging due crashes. We investigated microbiota associated with cultures using Illumina amplicon sequencing 16S rRNA genes bacteria archaea 18S microbial eukaryotes, identify competitor predator genera. These results pointed likely predation ciliated protozoan genus Euplotes. Development crop protection strategies will be crucial enabling mass systems.