The article "The synthetic future of algal genomes" by Goold, Moseley, and Lauersen discusses the potential of algae as a resource for biotechnology, particularly in resource circularity. Algae, with their diverse genetic and physiological traits, offer significant biotechnological potential. Advances in genome sequencing, DNA synthesis, and delivery techniques are enabling the development of customized molecular tools to enhance algae's application ranges. The authors highlight the possibility of redesigning and rebuilding entire algal genomes to create organisms with specific traits, similar to efforts in heterotrophic prokaryotes and eukaryotic microbes. Future algal genome engineering will focus on enhancing yields of native products and enabling the expression of complex biochemical pathways to produce novel metabolites from sustainable inputs. The article provides a historical perspective on the engineering of algae, discusses the genetic traits necessary for optimizing algal genomes, and draws inspiration from whole-genome engineering efforts in other microbes. It also presents candidate algal species suitable for these engineering goals, such as *Chlamydomonas reinhardtii*, *Ostreococcus tauri*, *Picochlorum spp.*, *Prototheca spp.*, *Auxenochlorella protothecoides*, *Porphyridium purpureum*, *Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D*, and *Galderia spp.* Each species is evaluated based on its genetic tractability, genome size, growth characteristics, and potential for metabolic engineering. Key developments in algal genome engineering include the use of molecular tools for nuclear transformation, plastid genome engineering, and the potential for whole-genome redesign. The article emphasizes the importance of rapid growth, haploidy, and sexual reproduction for future genome engineering efforts. It also highlights the advantages of smaller genomes with fewer introns and higher numbers of chromosomes, which can minimize the size of synthetic chromosomes and facilitate the integration of specific biochemical pathways. Overall, the article underscores the potential of algae as platforms for synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, with a focus on enhancing their biotechnological applications in resource circularity and sustainable production of valuable products.The article "The synthetic future of algal genomes" by Goold, Moseley, and Lauersen discusses the potential of algae as a resource for biotechnology, particularly in resource circularity. Algae, with their diverse genetic and physiological traits, offer significant biotechnological potential. Advances in genome sequencing, DNA synthesis, and delivery techniques are enabling the development of customized molecular tools to enhance algae's application ranges. The authors highlight the possibility of redesigning and rebuilding entire algal genomes to create organisms with specific traits, similar to efforts in heterotrophic prokaryotes and eukaryotic microbes. Future algal genome engineering will focus on enhancing yields of native products and enabling the expression of complex biochemical pathways to produce novel metabolites from sustainable inputs. The article provides a historical perspective on the engineering of algae, discusses the genetic traits necessary for optimizing algal genomes, and draws inspiration from whole-genome engineering efforts in other microbes. It also presents candidate algal species suitable for these engineering goals, such as *Chlamydomonas reinhardtii*, *Ostreococcus tauri*, *Picochlorum spp.*, *Prototheca spp.*, *Auxenochlorella protothecoides*, *Porphyridium purpureum*, *Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D*, and *Galderia spp.* Each species is evaluated based on its genetic tractability, genome size, growth characteristics, and potential for metabolic engineering. Key developments in algal genome engineering include the use of molecular tools for nuclear transformation, plastid genome engineering, and the potential for whole-genome redesign. The article emphasizes the importance of rapid growth, haploidy, and sexual reproduction for future genome engineering efforts. It also highlights the advantages of smaller genomes with fewer introns and higher numbers of chromosomes, which can minimize the size of synthetic chromosomes and facilitate the integration of specific biochemical pathways. Overall, the article underscores the potential of algae as platforms for synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, with a focus on enhancing their biotechnological applications in resource circularity and sustainable production of valuable products.