The laboratory emblem is represented by the profile photo of the principal investigator. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Sargassum (algae), Thalassia hemprichii (marine plants), and experimental equipments are used as representative elements of the laboratory. The small images reflect the actual colors, while the background is Marine Blue, echoing the ocean at the bottom of the logo, creating a more coordinated and stable overall design. 

TM Lee Lab


Algae Molecular PhysiologyNADPH oxidase Stress Resilience Carbon Neutrality under Climate Change
Department of Marine Biotechnology and ResourcesNational Sun Yat-sen University Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
886-7-5252000 ext. 5110; 886-7-5251509
Email: tmlee@mail.nsysu.edu.tw
Chinese website: https://sites.google.com/view/leealgae51/Home
Welcome to the website of our marine plant laboratory, affiliated with the Department of Marine Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University. The laboratory is led by Professor Tse-Min Lee. Our research aims to explore the enhancement of photosynthesis and carbon sequestration in algae under adverse conditions, utilizing NADPH oxidase to enhance cellular carbon fixation capacity and synthesize starch and lipids. We also focus on sustainable circular economy using wastewater and high-concentration CO2 flue gas, life cycle analysis of carbon footprints, and carbon reduction to establish negative carbon technologies.Genetic selection and CRISPR/Cas9 editing are key to overcoming extreme outdoor conditions and climate change for algae, pivotal for negative carbon technologies.Inducing sugars, lipids, proteins, and high-value compounds are fundamental for manufacturing carbon-neutral products.Environmental DNA (eDNA) and carbon and isotopic analysis of microalgae and macroalgae are pivotal for natural carbon sinks and large-scale planting to effectively reduce greenhouse gases in Taiwan. However, establishing methodological frameworks and international recognition are crucial for Taiwan's position in the global community.Algal carbon sequestration and utilization of wastewater and flue gas are optimal methods for reducing carbon emissions in product manufacturing using algae as raw materials.Our laboratory conducts comprehensive research on molecular, cellular, individual, population, and community levels using marine and freshwater algae, addressing carbon-related issues vital for human and all living organisms on Earth.Research Directions:
  • Regulation of NADPH oxidase on autophagy and starch and lipid metabolism
  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS)/nitric oxide (NO) signaling and stress resistance capabilitieseDNA and δ13C assessment of blue carbon: Northwest Pacific - Palau, the Philippines, and the southwestern sea area of Taiwan - northern South China Sea
  • Carbon reduction to establish negative carbon technologies: Developing platforms for carbon sequestration in macroalgae and microalgae using wastewater and flue gas

Ongoing Projects:
  • Regulation of carbon metabolism (lipid/starch synthesis) by NADPH oxidase: Production of bio-jet fuel and bio-alcohol
  • Multi-omics analysis of algae/gene editing (CRISPR/Cas9: knock-in/knock-out/CRISPRi) investigating the mechanism of autophagy regulation on carbon metabolism
  • Blue carbon in the southwestern sea area of Taiwan and the Northwest Pacific and climate change: eDNA of seaweed and seagrass, 
  • Blue carbon in Palau: carbon sinks of seaweed, seagrass, and mangroves
  • Negative carbon cycle economy of algae: Molecular mechanisms for flue gas CO2 and  wastewater treatment
Environmental DNA (eDNA) 18S V9 rDNA metabarcoding of marine macrophytes (SEAWEED, SEAGRASS, MANGROVE) in deep-sea shelf, slope, canyon, and seafloor in Palau: Seaweed Carbon Sequestration in the Western North Pacific
Environmental DNA (eDNA) 18S V9 rDNA metabarcoding of marine macrophytes (SEAWEED, SEAGRASS, MANGROVE) in deep-sea shelf, slope, canyon, and seafloor in South China Sea: Sseaweed and Seagrass Carbon Sequestration in the Western North Pacific marginal sea
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Tse-Min Lee, Jia-Yi Lin, Tsung-Han Tsai, Ru-Yin Yang, I-Son Ng, 2023. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology and genetic engineering strategies for microalgae towards carbon neutrality: A critical review, Bioresource Technology, 368, 128350, ISSN 0960-8524, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128350. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852422016832)Abstract: Carbon dioxide is the major greenhouse gas and regards as the critical issue of global warming and climate changes. The inconspicuous microalgae are responsible for 40% of carbon fixation among all photosynthetic plants along with a higher photosynthetic efficiency and convert the carbon into lipids, protein, pigments, and bioactive compounds. Genetic approach and metabolic engineering are applied to accelerate the growth rate and biomass of microalgae, hence achieve the mission of carbon neutrality. Meanwhile, CRISPR/Cas9 is efficiently to enhance the productivity of high-value compounds in microalgae for it is easier operation, more affordable and is able to regulate multiple genes simultaneously. The genetic engineering strategies provide the multidisciplinary concept to evolute and increase the CO2 fixation rate through Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle. Therefore, the technologies, bioinformatics tools, systematic engineering approaches for carbon neutrality and circular economy are summarized and leading one step closer to the decarbonization society in this review.