Microalgae, thanks to their remarkable photosynthetic activity, convert sunlight and CO2 into valuable bioproducts and energy-rich reserves such as storage lipids (i.e. triacylglycerols [TAGs]) and precursors to biodiesels [1]. In addition, microalgae play important roles in the global carbon cycle and hold great potential in maintaining a carbon-neutral economy. Moreover, large-scale cultivation of microalgae does not compete with crops for arable land and fresh water. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in exploring the use of microalgae for biofuel production. However, the production of lipid-based biofuels from microalgae is not yet economically viable due to the high production cost and low yield [2].

With a drive to make the algae-to-fuel sector viable, our understanding of algal growth, physiology and metabolism has expanded tremendously in model microalgae in recent years. This is partly thanks to the rapid advances in affordable omics technologies and the establishment of molecular genetic tools and precision genome editing. For example, unlike traditional genetic engineering techniques, state-of-the-art genome editing technology enables target-specific engineering [3]. Genetic improvement of algal strains using synthetic biology has never been so promising. Here, we discuss recent developments in the building of molecular genetic tools and in the identification of novel actors in oil synthesis in model microalgae (Figure 1).