Oilgae - Glossary

Micro-algal Biotechnology Group - The objective of the Micro algal Biotechnology Group is to further the understanding of the ecology of microalgae. This will assist with the development of commercial-scale micro algal culturing techniques for the production of bioactive compounds, aquaculture feed, fine chemicals, and renewable fuels. Additionally, environmental applications such as CO2 bioremediation, control of excessive algal growth and development of management strategies for water supply managers are investigated.

Algal Transgenic and Biotechnology - Transgenesis in algae is a complex and fast-growing technology. Selectable marker genes, promoters, reporter genes, transformation techniques, and other genetic tools and methods are already available for various species and currently ~25 species are accessible to genetic

transformation. Fortunately, large-scale sequencing projects are also planned, in progress, or completed for several of these species; the most advanced genome projects are those for the red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae, the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana, and the three green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Volvox carteri and Ostreococcus tauri.

The review gives a general outline of macro- and microalgal biotechnology. The main methods by which algae are cultivated and harvested are described. The first section deals with the environmental factors affecting mass culture and the principles governing the design and operation of mass cultivation systems. The second section gives the main current and potential uses of algae: in wastewater treatment, a source of food and feed, an energy source, and in the production of common and fine chemicals, such as polysaccharides, lipids, glycerol, pigments, and enzymes. Pharmaceutical uses of algae are described, and their potential as a source of novel biologically-active compounds is discussed. Future developments and the great potential of algae are considered. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2268145