A Systematic Investigation of Golden Algae - Ochromonadales (Chrysophyceae).

毕格罗海洋科学实验室的罗伯特·安德森博士获得了一笔赠款，用于研究金藻的系统生物学。 金藻纲（Aromophyceae）包含许多常见的淡水和海洋藻类物种。 大多数物种都是显微镜下的，大约100年前只用光学显微镜就被描述过。 最近的研究表明，以前的研究过于简单和不准确。 本研究将研究最大的分类目的的藻类，目的Ochromonadales，重点是最大的属，Ochromonas。 这些是能够进行光合作用的双鞭毛微生物。 初步结果表明，小亚基核糖体RNA和核酮糖二磷酸羧化酶/加氧酶基因是适当的DNA部分的研究。 此外，电子显微镜将用于研究鞭毛和特殊囊泡的关键物种，即，这些对理解这些藻类的进化特别重要。我们期待着发现和描述几个新的物种，以及新的属，这是迄今为止未知的科学。 完成的项目将提供一个现代的分类学修订这一大型和重要的藻类群体。 藻类植物有助于形成水生生态系统中食物链的基础，淡水和海洋动物直接或间接地依赖于这些藻类。 那些在饮用水处理厂或环境科学公司工作的人，他们在水生生态系统中工作，依靠像我这样的系统生物学家对物种进行准确和全面的描述。 此外，生物化学家、分子生物学家和生物技术学家也依赖系统生物学家对培养物的准确鉴定和物种的精确描述。 我们之前的研究发现了一组新的藻类，它们产生大量的多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA），特别是EPA，这对人类健康非常有益（减少心脏病）。 这些新的多不饱和脂肪酸藻类与藻类有关，也许在这项研究中会发现和描述其他对人类健康有益的生物。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Robert Andersen at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences to investigate the systematic biology of golden algae. The Chrysophyceae (golden algae) contain many common freshwater and marine algal species. Most species are microscopic and were described about 100 years ago using only a light microscope. Recent studies revealed that older studies were too simplistic and inaccurate. This study will examine the largest taxonomic order of the Chrysophyceae, the order Ochromonadales, with emphasis on the largest genus, Ochromonas. These are biflagellate microorganisms that are able to conduct photosynthesis. Preliminary results showed that the small subunit ribosomal RNA and the ribulose bis-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase genes are appropriate for the DNA portion of the study. Additionally, the electron microscope will be used to study flagella and special vesicles of keystone species, i.e., those especially important for understanding evolution of these algae. We anticipate the discovery and description of several new species, as well as new genera, that have heretofore been unknown to science. The completed project will provide a modern taxonomic revision for this large and important group of algae. Chrysophyte algae help form the base of the food chain in aquatic ecosystems, and freshwater and marine animals depend directly, or indirectly, on these algae. Those in drinking water treatment plants or environmental science companies, who work in aquatic ecosystems, depend upon systematic biologists, like myself, for accurate and thorough descriptions of species. Also, biochemists, molecular biologists, and biotechnologists depend upon systematic biologists for accurate identifications of cultures and precise descriptions for species. Our previous research discovered a new group of algae that produce large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially EPA, which is very beneficial for human health (reduces heart disease). These new PUFA algae are related to the Chrysophyceae, and perhaps additional organisms, which are beneficial to human health, will be discovered and described in this study.