Scientists map genomes of 100 ocean algae species
Mock T, Bilcke G, Flaum E, Fu S, Hoch L
Climate Adaptation
The pond scum and algae blooms you might overlook contain some of the most productive photosynthesizers on Earth, and this genetic catalog could unlock new tools for biofuels, carbon capture, and understanding how ecosystems respond to change.
Diatoms are tiny algae that live in water almost everywhere, and together they produce a huge share of the world's oxygen through photosynthesis, much like plants do on land. Researchers picked 100 different diatom species and are decoding their full genetic instructions so scientists everywhere can study how these organisms evolved, how they fit into ocean and freshwater food webs, and whether they can be engineered for things like biofuel production or pollution cleanup.
Key Findings
100 diatom species selected for whole genome and transcriptome sequencing
Project designed as a scalable, shared framework rather than a single-lab effort
Goals include mapping diatom biodiversity, ecology, evolution, and biotech applications
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists are sequencing the genomes of 100 different diatom species, the microscopic algae that produce roughly a fifth of the oxygen we breathe, to build a shared resource for studying their diversity and potential uses in biotechnology.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
The 100 Diatom Genomes Project.
One hundred diatom species have been selected for genome and transcriptome sequencing. The 100 Diatom Genomes Project aims to provide a scalable framework for understanding diatom biodiversity, eco...
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A diatom is any member of a large group comprising several genera of algae, specifically microalgae, found in the oceans, waterways and soils of the world. Living diatoms make up a significant portion of Earth's biomass. They generate about 20 to 50 percent of the oxygen produced on the planet ea...