Introduction

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are among the most ancient organisms on Earth. Known for their role in producing oxygen through photosynthesis billions of years ago, these microbes continue to have extreme impacts on the environment and technology. In recent years, bioengineered Cyanobacteria have emerged as critical players in synthetic biology, offering sustainable solutions to challenges in energy production, environmental protection and biotechnology. This article describes the biological features of Cyanobacteria, their engineering for innovative applications and the challenges and future prospects of utilizing these microbes [1,2]. Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes that use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. This ancient metabolic process, which led to the Great Oxygenation Event around 2.5 billion years ago, paved the way for the evolution of aerobic life on Earth. These microbes thrive in diverse environments, from freshwater and marine ecosystems to deserts and hot springs, demonstrating their adaptability and resilience. What makes Cyanobacteria particularly appealing for synthetic biology is their simplicity and efficiency. Unlike plants, they possess a relatively small genome, making genetic manipulation more straightforward. Additionally, their ability to grow rapidly under minimal nutrient conditions using only sunlight, water and carbon dioxide renders them costeffective and environmentally friendly. Cyanobacteria’s natural capabilities include carbon sequestration, nitrogen fixation and the production of bioactive compounds such as pigments, toxins and antioxidants. These properties have been leveraged for various applications, including wastewater treatment, carbon dioxide capture and the production of valuable biomolecules. However, the advent of genetic engineering has significantly expanded the potential of Cyanobacteria, enabling them to perform tasks far beyond their natural abilities [3,4].

Engineering Cyanobacteria for sustainable innovation

Bioengineered Cyanobacteria are at the forefront of synthetic biology, where genetic tools and metabolic engineering are used to improve their natural functions or introduce entirely new capabilities. These advancements have unlocked a wide range of applications across multiple industries. One of the most promising applications of engineered Cyanobacteria is in the production of renewable energy. Researchers have modified Cyanobacteria to produce biofuels such as ethanol, hydrogen and biodiesel directly from sunlight and carbon dioxide [5,6]. These processes bypass the need for agricultural land and feedstock’s, making them more sustainable than traditional biofuels derived from crops. Cyanobacteria have been engineered to produce biodegradable plastics and high-value chemicals, such as isoprene and succinic acid, which are precursors for industrial materials. These innovations offer environmentally friendly alternatives to petroleum-based products. Cyanobacteria are natural producers of bioactive compounds with medicinal properties. Through genetic engineering, scientists have enhanced their ability to produce pharmaceuticals, including antiviral and anticancer compounds. They are also being developed as sources of vitamins and dietary supplements. Engineered Cyanobacteria can efficiently capture atmospheric carbon dioxide and convert it into useful products. This dual role of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and generating valuable biomolecules has significant implications for combating climate change. Cyanobacteria can be designed to degrade pollutants, such as heavy metals and pesticides, or to detoxify harmful algal blooms caused by other Cyanobacteria [7,8]. These engineered strains are powerful tools for cleaning up contaminated systems. Bioengineered Cyanobacteria have the potential to revolutionize agriculture, but they face several challenges. One is achieving scalability while maintaining economic feasibility, as controlling environmental conditions can increase costs and complicate production. Public acceptance and regulatory frameworks are also important, as the release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) raises ecological risks. Advances in systems biology, computational modeling and automation are helping to improve efficiency and overcome metabolic bottlenecks. The integration of bioengineered Cyanobacteria into circular bio economies holds immense promise for a sustainable and resource-efficient future. Interdisciplinary collaborations between synthetic biologists, environmental scientists and policymakers are need for maximizing the technology's impact. Emerging research on artificial intelligence and machine learning is also playing a pivotal role in optimizing the design and performance of engineered Cyanobacteria, enabling faster discovery of optimal genetic modifications, pathway designs and cultivation strategies, accelerating the development of innovative applications [9,10].

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