Effects of overexpression of a bHLH transcription factor on biomass and lipid production in Nannochloropsis salina.

Overexpression of NsbHLH2 led to enhanced growth rate and nutrient uptake during the early growth phase, and increased biomass and FAME productivity, especially in the later period under normal and stressed conditions. Based on these results, we postulate that NsbHLH2 can be employed for the industrial production of biodiesel from N. salina.