genetically engineered algae strains for biofuels and bioproduct production have improved iron utilization including iron uptake and storage , and exhibit improved growth characteristics , magnetic separation , and magnetic hysteresis induced cell lysis . pond production algal strain embodiments with high iron scavenging capabilities limit iron availability to contaminating microorganisms and invading species . accumulation of high iron and other paramagnetic elements content in the form of ferritin enhances the cells magnetic susceptibility improving efficiency of magnetic separation and magnetic hysteresis induced cell lysis . several genes of the embodiments are capable of improving iron acquisition including the ferritin gene fer1 , iron transport gene fea1 , and iron reductase gene fre1 . other genes which improve growth in the high iron conditions permitting higher accumulation of iron include radical scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutase , peroxidase , catalase , glutathione peroxidase and the ferritin like dpr / dps genes which also bind iron and protect dna from reactive oxygen species .