Characterization of the circadian clock in Nannochloropsis oceanica

摘要生物钟是一种周期约为24小时的分子振荡器。陆地植物利用它们的生物钟和光信号之间的相互作用来预测每日和季节变化。然而，人们对光质量和昼夜节律钟如何揭示海洋生态系统中的时间、季节和深度信息知之甚少。本研究的目的是研究海洋微藻Nannochloropsis oceanica的生物钟。N. Oceanica目前被用作ω-3-脂肪酸的来源，并且由于其高脂质含量而被研究作为生物燃料的潜在来源。N.海洋硅藻属于Strageliles，Strageliles是一组非常多样化的次级内共生体，包括硅藻和植物病原体，如Phytophtora。虽然生物钟已经在动物，植物，真菌和细菌中进行了研究，但目前对调节Stratifiles昼夜节律的分子机制一无所知。作为该项目的一部分，PI的实验室将开始识别生物钟的分子组成部分，并描述光信号和N.海洋。这些研究将推进我们对昼夜振荡器进化的认识，并提供一个分子框架来理解浮游植物生理学中昼夜节律的作用。除了培训研究生外，PI还将为计划成为中学教师的本科生提供实验室研究经验。这些学生也将有机会发展自己的实验室教学单位。

ABSTRACTCircadian clocks are molecular oscillators with a period of about 24-h. Land plants use the interaction between their circadian clock and light signals to predict daily and seasonal changes. However, little is known on how light quality and the circadian clock reveal time, seasonal, and depth information in the marine ecosystem. The goal of this project is to study the circadian clock of the marine microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica. N. oceanica is currently used as a source of omega-3-fatty acids and due to its high lipid content is being investigated as a potential source of biofuel. N. oceanica belongs to the Stramenopiles a very diverse group of secondary endosymbionts that includes diatoms and plant pathogens such as Phytophtora. Although circadian clocks have been studied in animals, plants, fungi and bacteria, nothing is currently known about the molecular mechanisms regulating the circadian rhythms of Stramenopiles. As part of this project the PI's laboratory will start to identify the molecular components of the circadian clock and characterize the interaction between light signals and circadian rhythms in N. oceanica. These studies will advance our knowledge on the evolution of circadian oscillators, and provide a molecular framework to understand the role of circadian rhythms in phytoplankton physiology. In addition of training graduate students, the PI will provide laboratory research experience for undergraduate students planning to become secondary school teachers. These students will also have the opportunity to develop their own laboratory-teaching units.