Microalgae are widely used in products such as biofuels, nutritional supplements, and cosmetics. A newly described type has been discovered in home aquariums – and it may prove particularly useful.
known as Medakamo hakoofreshwater algae were first discovered several years ago by Professor Tsuneyoshi Kuroiwa of the University of Tokyo.
He decided to microscopically analyze the water in his goldfish tank at home. Because right after he added the Japanese medaka to his tank, everything turned green. When the causative algae was cultured and its DNA sequenced, it turned out to be a previously unknown species.
In a recent study at the University of Tokyo, M. Hakoo There is only one mitochondria (organelles that produce energy) and one chloroplast (organelles that carry out photosynthesis). This is much simpler than the cellular structure of most other types of green algae. M.hakoo’s The unique features don’t stop there.
“From our study, we also speculated that it has an unprecedented DNA structure and a novel gene regulation system,” said principal scientist Professor Yukihiro Matsunaga. “Their cell cycle is also strongly synchronized with the day-night cycle, which is the key to efficient and stable biological production. M. Hakoo Since it can be cultured efficiently at a high cell density, it will be possible to mass-produce high-performance foods, cosmetics, biofuels, etc. at low cost. “
Matsunaga and others are currently exploring cultivation methods Medakamo hakoo on a commercial scale.
A paper on this study was recently published in the journal Communication biology 6.
Source: University of Tokyo
