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

毕格罗海洋科学实验室的罗伯特·安德森博士被授予研究金藻系统生物学的资金。金藻中含有许多常见的淡水和海洋藻类。大多数物种都是微小的，大约100年前只用光学显微镜描述了它们。最近的研究表明，旧的研究过于简单化和不准确。本研究将检视金藻科中最大的分类目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/加氧酶基因适合于研究的DNA部分。此外，电子显微镜将用于研究关键物种的鞭毛和特殊的小泡，即对了解这些藻类的进化特别重要的那些。我们期待着发现和描述几个到目前为止还不为科学所知的新物种和新属。完成的项目将为这一大型而重要的藻类提供现代分类学修订。金藻有助于形成水生生态系统食物链的基础，淡水和海洋动物直接或间接依赖这些藻类。那些在饮用水处理厂或环境科学公司工作的人，在水生生态系统中工作，依靠像我这样的系统生物学家来准确和彻底地描述物种。此外，生物化学家、分子生物学家和生物技术专家依靠系统生物学家对培养物进行准确鉴定和对物种进行准确描述。我们之前的研究发现了一类新的藻类，可以产生大量的多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFAs)，特别是EPA，这对人类健康非常有益(减少心脏病)。这些新的PUFA藻类与金藻属有关，本研究可能会发现和描述更多有益于人类健康的生物。

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.