Dunaliella salina as a Model for Abiotic Stress Tolerance
I recently came across this recent review paper by Ramos et al., on using Dunaliella salina as a model for abiotic stress tolerance and thought it would be an interesting read for all.
The paper elaborates on isoprenoid and carotenoid biosynthesis regulation in addition to various genetic transformation procedures that would, in future, help this species to develop as a production system. The authors have very clearly described the above mentioned mechanisms after a quick description of the species itself.
The authors state that with the recent publication of the mitochondrial and plastid genomes of D.salina (Smith et al. 2010) and the forthcoming release of the nuclear genome by JGI, genome-based and other approaches will become possible in the near future. The short-term outcome of research on this industrially important species will allow not only an enhanced understanding of complex metabolic networks, but also further development of transgenic algal strains for particular commercial applications.
The paper can be viewed here
