četvrtak, 15. lipnja 2023.

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Algae culturing with overview of laboratory for culturing distributed worldwide

 Algae culturing is growing algae in artificial or controlled environments, such as containers, ponds, or photobioreactors. Algae culturing can be done for various purposes, such as research, education, biotechnology, or conservation. Algae culturing can involve different algae, such as microalgae or macroalgae, and different methods of cultivation, such as batch culture, continuous culture, or semi-continuous culture. Algae culturing require suitable conditions and nutrients for the algae to grow and thrive, such as light, temperature, pH, salinity, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace metals. Algae culturing can also face some challenges and limitations, such as contamination, predation, competition, harvesting, and extraction.


Examples of laboratories worldwide that are culturing algae, along with their home page links:

The Canadian Phycological Culture Centre (CPCC), formerly known as the University of Toronto Culture Collection of Algae and Cyanobacteria (UTCC), provides research quality cultures, culture medium, and other related services to educational institutions, government and commercial laboratories worldwide. It is housed at the University of Waterloo in the Department of Biology and is internationally recognized as a major service collection of living freshwater algal, cyanobacterial and Lemna spp. (duckweed) cultures. https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian-phycological-culture-centre/

The National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota (NCMA) at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences provides research quality cultures, culture medium, and other related services to academic, government, and commercial laboratories worldwide. It is located in East Boothbay, Maine and is internationally recognized as a major service collection of living marine algal, cyanobacterial, bacterial, archaeal and protistan cultures. https://ncma.bigelow.org/

The Culture Collection of Algae at Göttingen University (SAG) provides research quality cultures, culture medium, and other related services to academic, government, and commercial laboratories worldwide. It is located in Göttingen, Germany and is internationally recognized as a major service collection of living freshwater and marine algal cultures. https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/algae+collection/108379.html

The Australian National Algae Culture Collection (ANACC) provides research quality cultures, culture medium, and other related services to academic, government, and commercial laboratories worldwide. It is located in Hobart, Tasmania and is internationally recognized as a major service collection of living marine algal cultures. https://www.csiro.au/en/research/natural-environment/oceans/Algae-collection

The Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP) provides research quality cultures, culture medium, and other related services to academic, government, and commercial laboratories worldwide. It is located in Oban, Scotland and is internationally recognized as a major service collection of living freshwater and marine algal and protistan cultures. https://www.ccap.ac.uk/index.php

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a non-profit organization that promotes the development of viable technologies and commercial markets for renewable and sustainable products derived from algae. It represents the algae industry in various sectors such as food, feed, fuel, chemicals, materials, health care, environmental services, and more. It also supports research and innovation in algae cultivation and processing technologies. https://algaebiomass.org/

The Algal Research Center (ARC) at Arizona State University is a research center that focuses on advancing the science and technology of algae-based products for food, feed, fuel, chemicals, materials, health care, environmental services, and more. It conducts interdisciplinary research on various aspects of algae cultivation and processing systems such as biology, engineering, economics, policy, education, outreach, and more. https://arc.asu.edu/

The Algal Biotechnology Group (ABG) at University of Cambridge is a research group that focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the photosynthesis and metabolism of algae and cyanobacteria. It also explores the biotechnological applications of these organisms for renewable energy production, carbon capture and utilization, bioremediation, biosensing, and more. http://www.bioc.cam.ac.uk/hc227/group

The Algal Biotechnology and Bioenergy Group (ABB) at University of Sheffield is a research group that focuses on developing sustainable and scalable technologies for the production of biofuels and bioproducts from algae and cyanobacteria. It also investigates the fundamental biology and physiology of these organisms and their interactions with the environment. https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/aps/staff-and-students/acadstaff/abb

The Algal Biotechnology Laboratory (ABL) at University of California San Diego is a research laboratory that focuses on developing novel methods and tools for the genetic engineering and synthetic biology of algae and cyanobacteria. It also explores the potential applications of these organisms for biofuels, bioproducts, bioremediation, biosensing, and more. https://algae.ucsd.edu/

The Algal Bioengineering Laboratory (ABL) at University of Florida is a research laboratory that focuses on developing innovative technologies for the cultivation and harvesting of algae and cyanobacteria for biofuels, bioproducts, bioremediation, biosensing, and more. It also studies the fundamental aspects of algal physiology, metabolism, and stress responses. https://abe.ufl.edu/faculty/melisenda-alonso/

The Algal Biotechnology Group (ABG) at University of Malaya is a research group that focuses on exploring the diversity and potential of algae and cyanobacteria for various applications such as biofuels, bioproducts, bioremediation, biosensing, and more. It also conducts research on the optimization of algal cultivation and processing systems. https://umexpert.um.edu.my/algalbiotech.html

The Algal Biotechnology Group (ABG) at University of Queensland is a research group that focuses on developing sustainable solutions for the production of biofuels and bioproducts from algae and cyanobacteria. It also investigates the molecular biology and physiology of these organisms and their interactions with the environment. https://biological-sciences.uq.edu.au/research/groups/algal-biotechnology

The Algal Biotechnology Group (ABG) at University of Technology Sydney is a research group that focuses on advancing the knowledge and technology of algal biology and biotechnology for various applications such as biofuels, bioproducts, bioremediation, biosensing, and more. It also studies the ecology and evolution of algae and cyanobacteria in natural and artificial environments. https://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/our-research/climate-change-cluster/research-programs/algal-biotechnology

The Algal Biotechnology Laboratory (ABL) at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is a research laboratory that focuses on developing novel methods for the cultivation and harvesting of algae and cyanobacteria for biofuels, bioproducts, bioremediation, biosensing, and more. It also studies the molecular mechanisms underlying the photosynthesis and metabolism of these organisms. http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/bidr/SIDEER/Pages/staff/ZviCohen.aspx

The Algae Biotechnology Laboratory (ABL) at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid is a research laboratory that focuses on exploring the diversity and potential of algae and cyanobacteria for various applications such as biofuels, bioproducts, bioremediation, biosensing, and more. It also conducts research on the optimization of algal cultivation and processing systems

petak, 24. ožujka 2023.

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Biography - Friedrich Hustedt (1886 - 1968)

Biography of Friedrich Hustedt

Friedrich Hustedt (1886 - 1968) was a German teacher and botanist, best known for his diatom systematics research.


Fig. 1. Portait of Friedrich Hustedt (1886 - 1968)

He was born and grew up in Bremen, Germany. He taught school for 32 years, in 1924 becoming the head teacher of the school at Hauffstraße in Bremen. Hustedt initially pursued his interest in diatoms as a hobby, but his standing in the scientific community grew rapidly; thus, in 1939 he left school to study diatoms full-time. He described over 2000 diatom taxa and eventually amassed the largest private diatom collection in the world which is currently housed at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, Germany.

The phycological genera Hustedtia and Hustedtiella commemorate his name.

Hustedt occupied his free time with the study of diatoms which he collected mainly from the waters of rivers and estuaries in North Germany. He also collected further afield but samples and preparations came from all over the world, sent to Hustedt by his contemporaries. It remains the largest private collection of diatoms in the world. 

Because of his standing in the science at the time, Hustedt was persuaded to leave school-teaching in 1939 and funded to continue his study of diatoms full-time. In 1963 he sold his collection to the State of Bremen on the understanding that after his death, interested scientists would be able to consult it. Accordingly the "Hustedt-Arbeitsplatz" was established at the Institut für Meeresforschung in Bremerhaven, since 1986 integrated within the AWI.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  1. Süsswasser-Diatomeen Deutschlands: Ein Hilfsbuch bei der Bestimmung der am häufigsten vorkommenden Formen, Handbücher für die praktische naturwissenschaftliche Arbeit 5, 3. Auflage, Stuttgart: Franckh 1914, 4. Auflage 1923
  2. Vom Sammeln und Präparieren der Kieselalgen sowie Angaben über Untersuchungs- und Kulturmethoden, in E. Abderhalden, Handbuch der biologischen Arbeitsmethoden, Abt. 11, Band 4, S. 1–99
  3. Die Kieselalgen Deutschlands, Österreichs und der Schweiz: Unter Berücksichtigung der übrigen Länder Europas sowie der angrenzenden Meeresgebiete, Dr. L. Rabenhorsts Krytogamen-Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz, Band 7, 1927 (Teil 1, Lieferung 1, S. 1–272), 1928–1933, 1959, 1961 bis 1966 (zuletzt Teil 3, Lieferung 4), mehrere Lieferungen, Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft Leipzig und später Akad. Verlagsges. Frankfurt, Nachdruck: New York: Johnson Reprint, Weinheim: Cramer, sowie Nachdruck Königstein: Koeltz 1977 (3 Bände)
  4. Bacillariophyta (Diatomeae), Die Süsswasser-Flora Mitteleuropas, Heft 10, Jena: G. Fischer 1930, Reprint Königstein: Koeltz 1976
  5. Die Diatomeenflora des Küstengebiets der Nordsee vom Dollart bis zur Elbmündung, Teil 1, Abh. Naturwiss. Verein Bremen, Band 31, 1939, S. 572–677
  6. Botanische Mikrophotographie mit der Leica, in: H. Stöckler, Die Leica in Beruf und Wissenschaft, Frankfurt: Breidenstein 1941, S. 195–215
  7. Die Diatomeen norddeutscher Seen mit besonderer Berücksichtigung des holsteinischen Seengebiets, 1–4, Archiv Hydrobiol., Band 41, 1945, S. 392–414, Teil 5–7, Band 43, 1950, S. 329–458.
  8. Die Struktur der Diatomeen und die Bedeutung des Elektronenmikroskops für ihre Analyse, Arch. Hydrobiol., Band 41, 1945, S. 315–332.
  9. Süßwasser-Diatomeen aus dem Albert-Nationalpark in Belgisch-Kongo, Brüssel, Institut des Parcs Nationaux du Congo Belge, Mission Damas (1935/36), 8, 1949, S. 1–199
  10. Süsswasser-Diatomeen des indomalayischen Archipels und der Hawaii-Inseln : nach dem Material der Wallacea-Expedition. Internationale Revue der gesamten Hydrobiologie und Hydrographie, Band 42, 1942, S. 1–252, Nachdruck Königstein: Koeltz 1979.
  11. Die Diatomeenflora des Fluss-Systems der Weser im Gebiet der Hansestadt Bremen. Abh. Naturwiss. Vereins zu Bremen, Band 34, 1957, S. 181–440, Nachdruck Königstein: Koeltz 1976.
  12. Marine littoral diatoms from Beaufort, North Carolina, Bulletin Duke Univ. Marine Station. Band 6, 1955, S. 1–67.
  13. Die Diatomeenflora des Flußsystems der Weser im Gebiet der Hansestadt Bremen, Abh. Naturwiss. Verein Bremen, Band 34, 1957, S. 181–440.
  14. Präparation und Untersuchungsmethoden fossiler Diatomeen, in: H. Freund (Hrsg.), Handbuch der Mikroskopie in der Technik, 2 (3), Umschau Verlag 1958, S. 425–450.
  15. Die Diatomeenflora der Unterweser von der Lesummündung bis Bremerhaven mit Berücksichtigung des Unterlaufs der Hunte und Geeste, Veröff. Inst. Meeresforschung Bremerhaven, Band 6, 1959, S. 13–176.
  16. Die Diatomeenflora des Salzlackengebietes im österreichischen Burgenland. In: Sitzungsberichte Österr. Akad. Wiss., Math.-Naturwiss. Abt. Band 168, 1959, S. 387–452.
  17. Kieselalgen (Diatomeen). Eine Einführung in die Kleinlebewelt, 1956, 5. Auflage, Stuttgart: Franckh 1973.
  18. The pennate diatoms, Supplement von Norman G. Jensen, Königstein: Koeltz 1985.


Husted diatom study centre

Since 2003, data concerning material, slides and taxa, existing within the Friedrich Hustedt Diatom centre, are being entered in a database. This has been available through the internet since 2004.

In 2014, all data from the initial collection database have been transferred into a new system using the EarthCape platform. The database stores information on all specimens in the collection which were named by Hustedt or deposited later by other workers, along with literature-, material- and slide-information, as well as light and electron microscopic images when available. Taxon names have been entered as they appear on the slides or on a sheet in a slidebox in case of Hustedt's slides, although in some cases, recently proposed names are given under “comments”.

Hustedt Diatom Collection

The Friedrich Hustedt Diatom Study Centre (previously Hustedt Arbeitsplatz für Diatomeenkunde) was founded in 1965 at the Institute for Marine Research Bremerhaven, around Friedrich Hustedt's private diatom collection and library. This collection was the largest private diatom collection at that time, and has, over the decades since, become the core of one of the most important public diatom collections. Several years of work were spent on documenting Hustedt's legacy, ranging from cataloguing entries (sample material, slides and literature) to typification of the around 2000 taxa newly described by Hustedt (resulting in Simonsen's "blue book"). Besides, the collection continuously received additional deposits from renowned diatom researchers, ranging from individual slides (often types) through project based sets of slides to whole personal collections. Two important recent larger additions include a full set of slides from Grethe Hasle's collection including numerous isotypes and Kurt Krammer's practically full sample and slide collection.

The greater part of the collection comprises the fruits of Friedrich Hustedt´s work. He left over 60.000 microscope preparations and over 20.000 samples of material (dried or on glycerin). As a rule, Hustedt made three preparations from each location and filed them in a geographical system. Examples of interesting and newly-described species were placed in a taxonomic system.

Hustedt´s herbarium is being continually added to today and includes the collections of Dr. Reimer Simonsen, Dr. Dietrich König, Prof. Dr. Grethe Hasle and as well as individual preparations of other workers. The collection has now grown to include over 100.000 slides and 50.000 samples of material with an up-to-date library.










ponedjeljak, 27. veljače 2023.

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Medakamo hakoo

A new species of microalgae was found in water from a home aquarium. While analyzing DNA samples taken from the algae, researchers from the University of Tokyo discovered Medakamo hakoo, whose DNA sequence didn’t match any on record. This new species is the smallest known freshwater green algae, with inherent qualities which enable it to be cultured stably at high density, meaning it could be effectively used to produce useful products for food and industry.

If you’ve picked up seaweed on the beach, waded through fronds in a stream or cleaned out a grimy, green fish tank, then you’ll know what algae is. These diverse aquatic organisms thrive on water, light and nutrients and come in all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes. Microalgae are an ultrasmall type of algae which are invisible to the human eye, but a vital part of the Earth’s ecosystem, forming the basis for all aquatic food chains. They have attracted particular attention from researchers and businesses for their ability to capture carbon dioxide, their use as a biofuel, as an alternative source of protein, and more. There are tens of thousands of types of microalgae, which continue to thrive in unexpected places.

“We were very surprised to discover a new species of microalgae in just a regular home aquarium,” said Professor Sachihiro Matsunaga from the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences. “Alga were taken from the water and cultured one by one. The DNA of the alga was fluorescently stained and microscopically observed to find the one with the least amount of DNA per cell. We then sequenced the DNA of that alga and compared it to the DNA of other algae. The results did not match the DNA of any previously reported algae, indicating that it was a new species, and we named it Medakamo hakoo (M. hakoo).”

Microalgae are made up of relatively few genes, and this uncomplicated form makes them useful for researchers trying to identify what roles different genes play and how they could be used. Of the tens of thousands of known microalgae, many remain uncharacterized. Thanks to this latest study, we now know that not only is this a new species, but it also has the smallest known genome of any freshwater algae, as well as other useful qualities.

M. hakoo contains only one mitochondrion (for producing energy) and one chloroplast (which contains chlorophyll and creates food through photosynthesis), whereas normal plant cells contain multiple mitochondria and chloroplasts. This indicates that it is a green alga with an extremely simple cell structure,” explained Matsunaga. “From our research, we have also speculated that it has an unprecedented DNA structure and a new gene regulatory system. Its cell cycle is also strongly synchronized with the day and night cycle, which is key to effective, stable bioproduction. Due to these inherent qualities and extremely small size, M. hakoo can be effectively cultured at high cell density, making it possible to mass produce substances such as highly functional foods, cosmetics and bio-fuel at a low cost.”

The researchers plan to continue to explore the potential applications for M. hakoo, both in the lab and the wider world. “Aquatic green algae are the originating organisms of today’s land plants. Thanks to this research, we can better understand the minimum number of genes required for an organism to evolve and thrive in diverse environments, which we will continue to study,” said Matsunaga. “In the future, I would like to find ways to collaborate and create useful substances from the mass cultivation of M. hakoo.”



a Fluorescence images merged with a phase-contrast image of M. hakoo (mh), Cyanidioschyzon merolae (cm), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (sc). SYBR Green signals appear green. Red signals are autofluorescence from the chlorophyll in chloroplasts. The scale bar indicates 1 µm. b Image of the SYBR Green fluorescence only for the sample presented in panel a. c–e Highly magnified images of M. hakoo. c Phase-contrast and autofluorescence image. The scale bar indicates 1 µm. d SYBR Green signals. Long and short arrows indicate the nuclear and chloroplast DNA, respectively. e Merged image of (c) and (d). f Transmission electron microscopy image of M. hakoo; no, n, v, mt and cp represent the nucleolus, nucleus, vacuole, mitochondrion, and chloroplast, respectively. Arrowheads indicate electron-dense structures. The scale bar indicates 500 nm. g Schematic image of the M. hakoo cell structure; no, n, g, mt, v, s, and cp indicate the nucleolus, nucleus, Golgi apparatus, mitochondrion, vacuole, starch, and chloroplast, respectively. h Synchronization culture of M. hakoo. The schematic diagram with images of SYBR Green fluorescence presents the following cell stages: single-cell stage (I), two-cells-combined stage (II), tetrad stage (III), and dissection stage (IV). The M. hakoo cells were treated with a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle. Totally, 4268 cells were counted. The counts at each time point are provided in Supplementary Data 6. The scale bars indicate 500 nm. i Schematic diagram of the M. hakoo lifecycle; n, mt, and cp indicate the nucleus, mitochondrion, and chloroplast, respectively.

Source:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-022-04367-9#citeas



četvrtak, 19. siječnja 2023.

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Life in extreme habitats - Polar regions

The polar regions, which include the Arctic and Antarctica, are characterized by extreme cold, long winters, and short summers. Despite these harsh conditions, many species are able to survive in the polar regions.


In the Arctic, which is located around the North Pole, the climate is colder and drier than in Antarctica. The Arctic is home to many species of mammals, including polar bears, arctic foxes, wolves, and seals. These animals are adapted to life in the polar regions, with thick fur or blubber to keep them warm in the cold temperatures.

In Antarctica, which is located around the South Pole, the climate is colder and wetter than in the Arctic. The continent is mostly covered by ice, and there are no permanent human settlements. However, Antarctica is home to many species of seals, whales, and penguins, which are adapted to life in the cold, wet conditions.

Overall, life in the polar regions is challenging due to the extreme cold and limited availability of resources. However, many species have evolved to survive and thrive in these environments.

Despite the extreme conditions found in the polar regions, there is a surprising amount of diversity among the species that live there. In the Arctic, for example, there are many species of mammals, birds, and fish that are adapted to life in the cold.

Some of the mammals found in the Arctic include polar bears, arctic foxes, wolves, and seals. These animals are adapted to life in the cold with thick fur or blubber to keep them warm.

There are also many species of birds that live in the Arctic, including ptarmigans, guillemots, and snow buntings. These birds are adapted to life in the cold with thick feathers to keep them warm.

In the water, there are many species of fish and other marine life that live in the Arctic. These include cod, salmon, and halibut, as well as seals, whales, and dolphins.

Overall, the polar regions are home to a diverse array of species that are adapted to life in the extreme conditions found there.

The polar regions, which include the Arctic and Antarctica, are characterized by extreme cold and long, harsh winters. The climate in these regions is influenced by a number of factors, including the Earth's tilt on its axis, the circulation of the atmosphere, and the presence of land and water. Some of the main physical characteristics of the climate in the polar regions include:

  1. Low temperatures: The polar regions are known for their extremely low temperatures, with average temperatures ranging from -40°F to 32°F (-40°C to 0°C). The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -128.6°F (-89.2°C) in Antarctica.
  2. Long, dark winters: The polar regions experience long, dark winters, with little to no sunlight. In the Arctic, the sun does not rise above the horizon for several months during the winter.
  3. Short, cool summers: The polar regions have short, cool summers, with average temperatures ranging from 32°F to 50°F (0°C to 10°C). The length of the summer varies depending on the location and altitude.
  4. High humidity: The polar regions can also be very humid, with high levels of moisture in the air. This is especially true in Antarctica, where the humidity is often near 100%.
  5. Limited vegetation: The polar regions have limited vegetation due to the cold temperatures and short growing season. There are a few species of plants that are able to survive in these environments, including lichens, mosses, and shrubs.

Organisms that live in the polar regions have evolved a number of adaptations to help them survive in these harsh environments. Some of these adaptations include:

  1. Thick fur or blubber: Many polar animals, such as polar bears and seals, have thick layers of fur or blubber to help insulate their bodies and keep them warm in the cold temperatures.
  2. Compact body shape: Many polar animals, such as arctic foxes and polar bears, have compact body shapes to help reduce surface area and minimize heat loss.
  3. Hibernation: Some polar animals, such as polar bears and arctic ground squirrels, undergo periods of hibernation during the winter to conserve energy and survive the cold temperatures.
  4. Migration: Many polar animals, such as caribou and whales, migrate to more hospitable environments during the winter to avoid the extreme cold and limited resources of the polar regions.
  5. Specialized diet: Some polar animals, such as seals and polar bears, have evolved to have a diet that is rich in fat, which provides them with the energy they need to survive in the cold temperatures.

Overall, the adaptations of polar animals are essential for their survival in these extreme environments.

In the frozen tundra of the polar region, a community of snow and ice algae struggled to survive. These tiny, single-celled organisms were adapted to life in the extreme conditions of the polar region, and they had evolved a number of unique adaptations to help them thrive in this harsh environment.

One of the main challenges of living in the polar region was the extreme cold. The snow and ice algae had evolved to be able to withstand the freezing temperatures, and they had developed special pigments that helped to absorb sunlight and convert it into energy.

Another challenge of living in the polar region was the limited availability of nutrients. The snow and ice algae were able to survive in these oligotrophic conditions by using sunlight to photosynthesize their own food. They also had the ability to fix nitrogen from the air, which allowed them to grow and thrive even in the nutrient-poor conditions of the polar region.

Despite these adaptations, life in the polar region was still difficult for the snow and ice algae. The intense UV radiation that reached the surface of the ice and snow could be damaging to their cells, and they had to constantly adapt and evolve to survive in this harsh environment.

Despite these challenges, the snow and ice algae were able to thrive in the polar region. They were a vital part of the ecosystem, providing food and oxygen for the other organisms that lived there. And as long as they were able to adapt and evolve to meet the challenges of their environment, they would continue to survive in this extreme habitat.

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Life in extreme habitats

Life in extreme habitats refers to the ability of certain organisms to survive and thrive in environments that are considered inhospitable to most life forms. These environments may include extreme temperatures, high or low pressure, and limited access to resources such as water and nutrients.

Some examples of extreme habitats include:

  • Polar regions: These are characterized by extremely low temperatures and limited sunlight, and are home to organisms such as penguins, seals, and polar bears.
  • Deep sea: The deep sea is characterized by high pressure, low temperature, and limited light, and is home to a variety of organisms such as bioluminescent fish, giant tube worms, and deep-sea crabs.
  • Deserts: These are characterized by low humidity, high temperatures, and limited access to water, and are home to organisms such as cacti, camels, and kangaroo rats.
  • Hot springs: These are characterized by high temperatures and high levels of dissolved minerals, and are home to a variety of thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria and archaea.
  • Salt pans: These are characterized by high salt concentrations and extreme temperatures, and are home to a variety of salt-tolerant organisms such as algae and brine shrimp.


petak, 13. siječnja 2023.

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18 amazing algae facts to help you enjoy, understand, and respect one of the world’s most important organisms

Algae is a funny old thing. This group of photosynthesising aquatic organisms come in many shapes and sizes (but mostly very, very small) and you’ll probably recognise them from kelp and seaweed, but there is a lot more to them than that. For example, algae are a critical part of the food chain, as well as producing a huge amount of the oxygen we breath.

Cover of the book BLOOM: FROM FOOD TO FUEL, THE EPIC STORY OF HOW ALGAE CAN SAVE OUR WORLD, by: Ruth Kassinger (2019).

About a book:

There are as many algae on earth as stars in the universe, and they have been essential to life on our planet for aeons. Algae created our oxygen-rich atmosphere, abundant oceans and coral reefs. Crude oil is made of dead algae, and algae are the ancestors of all plants.

Today, seaweed production is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with algae hard at work to make your sushi, chocolate milk, beer, paint, toothpaste, shampoo and so much more. Delving into science and history, in this revelatory book Ruth Kassinger takes readers on an around-the-world, behind-the-scenes, and into-the-kitchen tour. We’ll meet the algae innovators working towards a sustainable future: from seaweed farmers in South Korea, to scientists using it to clean the dead zones in our waterways, to the entrepreneurs fighting to bring algae fuel and plastics to market.

Whether you thought algae was just the gunk in your fish tank or you eat seaweed with your porridge, Bloom will overturn everything you thought you knew about these little green cells and the immense power that they hold. This could be the future of our rapidly changing world.

...

Here are a few vital algae facts to help you enjoy, understand, and respect one of the world’s most important organisms.

1. Take a breath: half the oxygen you breathed in was made by algae. We don’t think much about algae, except when we see yucky, slimy scum on a pond. But algae first oxygenated Earth’s atmosphere. If all Earth’s algae died tomorrow, we would soon expire, too.

2. Swallow a single drop of ocean water and you’ll swallow thousands of microscopic algae. There are more algae in the oceans than stars in the Universe.

3. Algae are the base of the marine food chain: without algae, there would be no fish or any other sea animals.

4. All plants evolved from algae. Without plants to eat, fish would never have evolved to become land animals, including us.

5. Farmers have been feeding a little seaweed to their animals’ feed for at least two thousands years, recognising its health benefits. They have long added a little seaweed to soil where it acts as a biostimulants, increasing crop yield by 10 to 30 percent. The seaweed additive market is $450 million and, while still in its infancy, employs many hundreds of harvesters in Canada, Maine, and northern Europe.

6. Coral reefs depend on algae. Symbiotic algae that live inside corals (which are animals) create sugars through photosynthesis. Those sugars provide 90 percent of the corals’ energy needs.

7. Certain algae called zooxanthellae (“zoox”) live inside corals, which are animals. The algae produce sugars that they pass to the corals, providing 90 per cent of their energy needs, while the corals provide nitrogen and shelter to the algae. Without this symbiosis, we would not have corals reefs, which are highly valuable to mankind. Seventeen percent of the world’s protein comes from reefs. One billion people depend on reefs for food, protection from storms, or employment.

8. Warming oceans cause corals to eject their zoox, which produce lethal superoxides in higher temperatures. Ninety-three percent of all coral reefs are damaged by the loss of zoox. Sixty percent of the Caribbean’s reefs have already disappeared. Many experts believe coral reefs will be extinct by mid-century, at the latest.

9. Our brains are dependent on the iodine and omega-3 oils that algae contain. When we don’t eat algae (or sea creatures that dined on algae) we run the risk of thyroid deficiency and lower IQs. Some scientists attribute the expansion of the hominid brain to access to seaweed and algae-eating fish.

10. Agar, the medium that coats the bottom of petri dishes and is an irreplaceable part of medicine and science, is also an algae-derived hydrocolloid. Shortages of the seaweed Gelidium threaten laboratories worldwide. There is no substitute.

11. Algae are in your kitchen and bathroom. Listed as carrageenan or alginate, you’ll find them in ice cream where they prevent ice crystals from forming, in chocolate milk to keep cocoa suspended, and in salad dressing to keep the components mixed. Algae gel your toothpaste, thicken your body lotion, and coat tablets to hold the ingredients together. And that’s just the start!

12. Oxybenzone and similar sunscreens that wash off our bodies are deadly for corals and other marine life. Hawaii and other states are banning these sunscreens. Algae have evolved protection from UV rays, and algae-based sunscreens hold promise.

13. The US Navy has run ships and planes on non-polluting fuel made from the oils in algae. The price of algae oil has dropped radically and new technology will drive it down further. If the price of fossil fuels reflected the cost of their environmental damage, we would be flying jets on algae fuel.

14. Algae can substitute for oil and natural gas in plastics. A Mississippi company called Algix is making the soles of running shoes and other products with EVA made from algae. In 2019, they will use more than 5 million kilos of pond scum. Ten billion pairs of running shoes are made annually; the potential for algae plastics is big.

15. Harmful algae blooms are getting bigger and lasting longer in our era of climate change and fertiliser run-off. The blooms already cause hundreds of millions of dollars of annual losses to fishermen and tourist economies around the world.

16. Red algae living on the Greenland ice sheet account for 5 to 10 per cent of the ice sheet’s shrinkage. The algae turn the snow pink when the slightest melt occurs. This “watermelon snow” absorbs light, which heats the snow, and creates a feedback loop that hastens the disappearance of snow.

17. The burps and flatulence of livestock constitute 15 per cent of the greenhouse gases that mankind emits each year. Australian researchers recently discovered that a little Asparagopsis seaweed added to animal feed stops gut bacteria from producing gas. Emissions are reduced by 50 to 85 percent.

18. Can algae combat global warming? Seeding the iron-poor Southern Ocean with iron dust encourages algae blooms that absorb carbon dioxide and sequester it to the ocean floor. Whether the technique is effective is not yet clear; more research is needed.

Sources:

1. https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/18-amazing-algae-facts-to-help-you-enjoy-understand-and-respect-one-of-the-worlds-most-important-organisms/

2. https://eandtbooks.com/books/bloom/

ponedjeljak, 9. siječnja 2023.

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Galdieria sulphuraria (Extremophilic unicellular species of red alga)

INTRODUCTION

Galdieria sulphuraria is an extremophilic unicellular species of red algae. It is the type species of the genus Galdieria. It is known for its broad metabolic capacities, including photosynthesis and heterotrophic growth on over 50 different extracellular carbon sources. The members of the class Cyanidiophyceae are among the most acidophilic known photosynthetic organisms, and the growth conditions of G. sulphuraria – pH between 0 and 4, and temperatures up to 56 °C – are among the most extreme known for eukaryotes. Analysis of its genome suggests that its thermoacidophilic adaptations derive from horizontal gene transfer from archaea and bacteria, another rarity among eukaryotes.


Fig 1. Morphology of G. sulphuraria (https://mycocosm.jgi.doe.gov/public/Galsul1/Galdieria_LM_23.jpg;jsessionid=3ED91CBF2A2983D0E5231AE36B5D42B0)

History and taxonomy

Published descriptions of thermoacidophilic unicellular algae date to the mid-19th century. The earliest description of an organism corresponding to the modern G. sulphuraria was published in 1899 by an Italian scientist, A. Galdieri, who gave it the name Pleurococcus sulphurarius. The taxonomy of thermoacidophilic algae was revised in 1981, which introduced the genus Galdieria and gave the organism its modern designation. G. sulphuraria is the type species for this genus. The group to which G. sulphuraria belongs, the Cyanidiophyceae, is the most deeply branching subgroup of the rhodophyta (red algae), meaning they were the earliest to diverge in the evolutionary history of this group.

Metabolism

G. sulphuraria is noted for its extreme metabolic flexibility: it is capable of photosynthesis and can also grow heterotrophically on a wide variety of carbon sources, including diverse carbohydrates. Over 50 different carbon sources that support growth have been reported. Careful measurements of its growth patterns under laboratory conditions suggest that it is not a true mixotroph capable of using both energy sources at the same time; rather, it prefers heterotrophic growth conditions and downregulates photosynthesis after extended exposure to extracellular carbon sources. Analysis of the G. sulphuraria photosystem I complex, a key photosynthetic component, suggests a structure intermediate between the homologous complexes in cyanobacteria and plants. Although most red algae use floridean starch as a storage glucan, G. sulphuraria uses a highly unusual form of glycogen which is among the most highly branched glycogens known, has very short branch lengths, and forms particles of unusually low molecular weight. These properties are believed to be metabolic adaptations to extreme environmental conditions, although the precise mechanism is unclear.

Habitat and ecology

G. sulphuraria is unusual for a eukaryote in being thermoacidophilic – that is, capable of growing at both high temperature and low pH. It grows well in a pH range of 0–4 and at temperatures up to 56 °C, close to the approximately 60 °C sometimes cited as the likely maximum for eukaryotic life. It is also highly tolerant of high salt concentrations and of toxic metals. It is found in naturally acidic hot springs, in solfataric environments, and in polluted environments; It is also found in endolithic ecosystems, where light is scarce and its heterotrophic metabolic capacities are particularly important. Laboratory tests indicate that it is capable of actively acidifying its environment.

Genome

The G. sulphuraria genome contains evidence of extensive horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from thermoacidophilic archaea and bacteria, explaining the origin of its adaptation to this environment. At least 5% of its proteome is likely to be derived from HGT. This is highly unusual for a eukaryote; relatively few well-substantiated examples exist of HGT from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. The genome of its mitochondria is also exceptionally small and has a very high GC skew, while the genome of its plastids is of normal size but contains an unusual number of stem-loop structures. Both of these properties are proposed to be adaptations for the organism's polyextremophilic environment. By comparison to Cyanidioschyzon merolae – a unicellular thermoacidophilic red alga that is obligately photoautotrophic – the G. sulphuraria genome contains a large number of genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism and cross-membrane transport.

Biotechnology

Because of its ability to tolerate extreme environments and grow under a wide variety of conditions, G. sulphuraria has been considered for use in bioremediation projects. For example, it has been tested for the ability to recover precious metals, recover rare-earth metals, and remove phosphorus and nitrogen from various waste streams.

Source:

1. Galdieria sulphuraria - Wikiwand


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Extremophiles (Introduction)

Extremophiles are organisms that can survive in extreme environments, such as very hot or cold temperatures, acidic or salty water, and even in the vacuum of space. These organisms have adapted to live in places where other life forms cannot survive.


Fig. 1. The bright colors of Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, are produced by thermophiles, a type of extremophile (Source: Extremophile - Wikiwand)

Scientists study extremophiles to learn more about how life can exist in harsh conditions and also to find new sources of energy.


Fig. 2. Diversity of extreme environments on Earth

(Merino, N., Aronson, H. S., Bojanova, D. P., Feyhl-Buska, J., Wong, M. L., Zhang, S., & Giovannelli, D. (2019). Living at the extremes: extremophiles and the limits of life in a planetary context. Frontiers in microbiology, 10, 780)

Basic information about extremophiles organisms are presented as follows:

1. Extremophiles are organisms that can survive and thrive in extreme environments, such as extremely hot or cold temperatures, high pressures, acidic or alkaline pH levels, and low oxygen levels. 

2. Extremophiles are found in a variety of habitats including hydrothermal vents, deep-sea trenches, polar ice caps, deserts, and even inside rocks. 

3. The most common extremophiles are bacteria and archaea (single-celled microorganisms). 

4. Extremophiles have evolved special adaptations to survive in their extreme environments such as the ability to produce enzymes that can withstand high temperatures or tolerate high acidity levels. 

5. Some extremophiles have been found living at temperatures up to 113°C (235°F), which is close to the boiling point of water! 

6. Extremophiles can also be found living in highly saline environments such as the Dead Sea or the Great Salt Lake in Utah. 

7. Some extremophiles can survive without oxygen by using alternative sources of energy such as sulfur compounds or methane gas for respiration instead of oxygen. 

8. Extremophiles have been used in biotechnology applications such as producing enzymes for use in laundry detergents and biofuels from algae grown in saltwater ponds. 

9. Scientists believe that extremophiles may hold clues about how life could exist on other planets with similar extreme conditions to those found on Earth. 

10. The study of extremophiles has helped scientists understand how life can adapt and evolve to survive even under the most extreme conditions imaginable!

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Water bloom

A water bloom is a rapid increase in the population of aquatic algae or cyanobacteria in a body of water. Water blooms can occur naturally, but they are often exacerbated by human activities, such as nutrient pollution and climate change.

Water blooms can have negative impacts on the ecosystem, as the excess algae or cyanobacteria can use up oxygen in the water and release toxins that can harm other organisms. They can also cause aesthetic problems, such as discoloration or foul odors, which can make the water unpleasant for recreational activities.

Water blooms can be managed through a variety of methods, such as adding chemicals to the water to kill the excess algae, reducing nutrient inputs, and increasing circulation to improve oxygen levels. It is important to address water blooms promptly to minimize their negative effects on the ecosystem and human activities.

There are many different species of cyanobacteria and algae that can cause water blooms. Some of the most common cyanobacteria that cause water blooms include:

  • Anabaena
  • Microcystis
  • Aphanizomenon
  • Planktothrix

Some of the most common algae that cause water blooms include:

  • Chlorella
  • Cladophora
  • Oedogonium
  • Spirogyra

It is worth noting that not all species of cyanobacteria and algae are harmful and can cause water blooms. In fact, many species of cyanobacteria and algae play important roles in the ecosystem, such as providing oxygen and serving as a food source for other organisms. However, when their populations increase rapidly, they can become a problem.



Image credit: https://www.enzolifesciences.com/science-center/technotes/2016/july/a-growing-national-water-threat-algal-blooms/ 




ponedjeljak, 2. siječnja 2023.

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Writing a scientific paper

Writing a scientific paper can seem like a daunting task, but it is important to remember that a scientific paper is just a written communication of the results of a scientific study. The main purpose of a scientific paper is to report new findings and to help other researchers understand and build upon your work. To write a scientific paper, you should:

  • Choose a topic: This should be a topic that is of interest to you and relevant to your field of study.
  • Conduct your research: This can involve collecting data through experiments, observations, or simulations.
  • Analyze your data: Use statistical analysis or other methods to analyze your data and draw conclusions from it.
  • Write the paper: Organize your paper into sections, such as an introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, and conclusion.
  • Cite your sources: Make sure to properly cite any sources that you used in your research, including papers, websites, and data sets.
  • Submit your paper: Submit your paper to a scientific journal for review and publication.

Remember, a scientific paper should be written in a clear, concise, and logical manner, and should be understandable to a general scientific audience.





srijeda, 23. studenoga 2022.

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QU AND EXXONMOBIL COLLABORATE ON ENHANCED WATER TREATMENT RESEARCH

Algal Technologies Program at Qatar University (QU-ATP) and ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) have developed biological technology for treatment of industrial wastewater using native algae species.


The collaboration is built upon a longstanding relationship between (QU-ATP) and (EMRQ). The research centers are working together to enhance essential research and development into this technology to treat and recycle industrial wastewater.

The project focuses on using microalgae strains native to the State of Qatar, which are able to thrive under the prevalent environmental conditions. Using these microalgae to treat industrial wastewater can help support Qatar’s water security, and economic diversification through the production of algae-based products such as lower emission biofuels.

The collaboration is aimed at enhancing research in the country and expediting knowledge sharing, as well as creating opportunities for postgraduate studies and capacity building for local researchers earlier in their careers.
Project Leader and Manager of Innovation and Intellectual Property at Qatar University, Dr. Hareb Al Jabri, mentioned, “Our collaboration with EMRQ is very valuable to us, and we are happy to be working together with them on this important topic. Through such collaborations with industry partners we can work to implement the technologies we develop and help address the environmental challenges of the State of Qatar.”
Applying these algae for industrial water treatment represents a unique opportunity to use Qatar’s bio resources to develop technologies which could even be applied in other regions as well.

“We are thrilled to be working with our partners at Qatar University to explore ways of using microalgae in the treatment of industrial wastewater,” said Dr. Suhur Saeed, Program Research Lead for Water Reuse for ExxonMobil Research Qatar.

“Microalgae are a proven and efficient alternative to mechanical wastewater treatment systems, and can provide good quality treated water and benefit the environment. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and friendship, and demonstrating our technology towards helping to achieve solutions to environmental challenges for Qatar,” he added.

Source:

http://www.qu.edu.qa/newsroom/Research/QU-and-ExxonMobil-Collaborate-on-Enhanced-Water-Treatment-Research

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Mogu li alge komunicirati?

Mikroskopiranjem jedne male kapljice vode iz rijeke, bare ili jezera uočavaju se različiti predstavnici algi iz klase Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae, Chlorophyceae itd. Međutim, postavlja se pitanje da li alge koje naseljavaju navedene vodene ekosisteme mogu komunicirati između sebe. Ukoliko mogu, na koji način to rade i koji je značaj te komunikacije. Jedinstveni fenomen istražili su autori Saha et al. (2022) u svom radu po nazivom: “Algal volatiles—the overlooked chemical language of aquatic primary producers”.

Pregledom velikog broja naučnih radova, utvrđeno je da alge zaista mogu komunicirati i to uz pomoć biogenih isparljivih spojeva (BVOCs – biogenic volatile organic compounds) koji su ekvivalent mirisima koje ispuštaju vaskularne biljke, kaže dr. Patrick Fink, ekolog UFZ-a u Magdeburgu.
Ovi hemijski signali su poznati kao biogeni isparljivi organski spojevi su kao što je navedeno ekvivalentni mirisima u zraku s kojima vaskularne biljke komuniciraju i privlače svoje oprašivače. Kada su napadnute parazitima neke biljke oslobađaju mirise koje privlače prirodne neprijatelje parazita.
"Alge također koriste takve interakcije i zaštitne mehanizme", kaže dr. Fink. "Uostalom, alge su među najstarijim organizmima na Zemlji, a hemijska komunikacija je najoriginalniji oblik razmjene informacija u dugoj evolucijskoj historiji. Međutim, naše znanje u ovoj oblasti i dalje je vrlo fragmentarno i oskudno."
Dr. Patrick Fink je glavni autor članka koji je nedavno objavljen u naučnom časopisu Biological Reviews, gdje je sumiran trenutni status istraživanja hemijske komunikacije kod algi.
"Tako na primjer, iz laboratorijskih istraživanja je poznato da neke vrste modrozelenih algi odbijaju vodene buhe uz pomoć BVOCs. Ovi spojevi najvjerovatnije dejluju kao repelenti, a čija je uloga u odbijanju herbivora, kaže dr. Fink”.
Nasuprot tome, neke makroalge ispuštajući BVOCs u okviru formiranih biofilmova na površini kamenih oblutaka, i u velikom broju privlače herbivore posebno puževe. 
U marinskim ekosistemima, fitoplanktonske dijatomeje predstavljaju dobar izvor nutrijenata za kopepode. Međutim, kopepodi ih ne konzumiraju iz razloga što su njihovi mladi osjetljivi na BVOCs. Navedene supstance negativno djeluju na diobu ćelija i na embrionalni razvoj. 
O jeziku algi prvi put se govorilo tokom ranih 70-tih godina, a aktueliziralo se tek tokom 21. stoljeća. 
Hemijska komunikacija je prvi put opisana kod smeđe makroalge – Fucus vesiculosus. 
U svojoj publikaciji, upućeno je na vjerovatno značajan učinak BVOCS-a unutar vodenih ekosistema, identificirane su praznine u znanju i ukazana je potreba za moguća buduća područja istraživanja kao što su koevolucijski procesi između donora i recipijenta hemijskih signala ili posljedice promjena u okolišu uzrokovanih antropogenim faktorima. 
"Kao primarni proizvođači, alge čine osnovu života svih hranidbenih mreža u vodi", kaže Dr. Fink. "Zbog toga je važno da naučimo bolje razumjeti hemijsku komunikaciju algi i njihove osnovne funkcionalne odnose u vodenim ekosistemima."
Autori vjeruju da bi povećano razumijevanje jezika algi također moglo imati korisne primjene, kao što je korištenje hemijskih signala za odbijanje parazita, čime bi se smanjila upotreba hemikalija u akvakulturi. Bolje razumijevanje hemijskih komunikacijskih puteva je također važno kako bi se omogućio razvoj efikasnijih ekoloških strategija.
"Ne možemo zaštititi vode osim ako ne razumijemo funkcionisanje njihovih internih regulacijskih mehanizama", kaže Dr. Fink. Preliminarne studije pokazuju da je proces hemijske komunikacije morskih algi poremećen sve većim zakiseljavanjem mora i okeana zbog izraženih uticaja klimatskih promjena.
"Također je velika vjerovatnoća da će u budućnosti doći do interakcije između mikrozagađivača ljudskog porijekla i biogenih isparljivih hemijskih spojeva algi. Ovo narušava fino izbalansirane hemijske komunikacijske procese koji su ostali stabilni tokom dužih vremenskih perioda, što može imati ozbiljne posljedice po funkciju vodenih ekosistema, “ upozorava Dr. Fink.

Izvor:
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-language-algae.html