En-Gen: Gene expression and harmful algal bloom dynamics.

该项目的总体目标是确定有害藻华（HABs）的关键细胞过程，通常被称为赤潮。有害藻华对全球人类健康、生态系统健康和渔业资源构成重大威胁。研究这一过程最重要的模型系统之一是有毒的二鞭毛藻亚历山大塔玛兰，这是一种单细胞藻类，产生神经毒素，导致麻痹性贝类中毒，是所有HAB中毒综合征中最普遍的。随着tamarense基因组资源的不断开发，研究这一重要物种基因表达的环境调控成为可能，并开始在前所未有的水平上揭开开花动力学和细胞代谢的奥秘。该项目将确定在开花的三个一般阶段：起始、发育和终止中转录调节的基因和途径。具体来说，研究人员将为a . tamarense创建一个微阵列，以便：鉴定与塔玛兰花形成有关的关键基因，特别是在休眠包囊期萌发过程中受到调控的基因；2. 确定塔玛兰花发育和维持的关键基因，特别是参与有机和无机养分同化、光合作用过程、毒素产生和细胞分裂周期的关键基因；3. 确定与tamarense花终止有关的关键基因，特别是那些受营养限制的基因，以及在从营养生长到性循环的过渡过程中导致静息期形成的基因；和4。通过比较自然开花群体的表达谱与实验室培养产生的数据，原位研究鞭毛细胞的生理状态。本研究是一个综合的、合作的项目，依赖于塔玛兰丝虫分子进化、基因组学、生理学、生态学和毒性方面的专业知识。研究人员希望为科学家们提供一个有价值的分子资源，以了解a . tamarense和其他HAB物种的生态和毒性，并帮助培训下一代科学家研究这一重要问题。此外，这些研究的结果将为这些迷人的、在进化和经济上都很重要的、但尚未得到充分研究的有机体的独特基因组提供见解。

The overall goal of this project is to identify the key cellular processes involved in harmful algal blooms (HABs), commonly known as red tides. HABs pose a major threat to human health, ecosystem health, and fisheries resources throughout the world. One of the most important model systems for studying this process is the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense, a unicellular alga that produces neurotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, and is the most widespread of all HAB poisoning syndromes. With the recent development of genomic resources for A. tamarense, it is now possible to conduct studies on the environmental regulation of gene expression in this important species, and to begin to unravel the mysteries of bloom dynamics and cellular metabolism at a level that has never before been possible. This project will identify transcriptionally regulated genes and pathways during the three general stages of a bloom: initiation, development, and termination. Specifically, the investigators will create a microarray for A. tamarense to: 1. identify the key genes involved in the initiation of A. tamarense blooms, specifically those regulated during the germination of resting cyst life stages; 2. identify the key genes involved in the development and maintenance of A. tamarense blooms, specifically those involved in the assimilation of organic and inorganic nutrients, the process of photosynthesis, the production of toxins, and cell division cycle; 3. identify the key genes involved in the termination of A. tamarense blooms, specifically those regulated in response to nutrient limitation, and during the transition from vegetative growth to the sexual cycle that results in resting stage formation;and 4. investigate the physiological state of dinoflagellate cells in situ, by comparing expression profiles of a natural bloom population with the data generated from laboratory cultures. This study is an integrated, collaborative program that relies on expertise in A. tamarense molecular evolution, genomics, physiology, ecology, and toxicity. The investigators hope to produce a valuable molecular resource for scientists working to understand the ecology and toxicity of A. tamarense and other HAB species as well as help train the next generation of scientists working on this important problem. Additionally, the results of these studies will provide insights into the unique genome of these fascinating, evolutionarily and economically important, yet understudied organisms.