Project information
The effect of quality and quantity of light on the life cycle of the green chlorococcal alga Scenedesmus obliquus

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Project Identification
GA204/03/1113
Project Period
1/2003 - 12/2005
Investor / Pogramme / Project type
Czech Science Foundation
MU Faculty or unit
Faculty of Science

The Scenedesmus obliquus life cycle includes a vegetative phase (autospore production) and a poorly understood sexual one (gamete production). During gametogenesis potential vegetative cells are converted into gametes. Generally, in photosyntheticorganisms this differentiation is triggered by consecutive environmental signals, first chemical, i.e. nitrogen depletion, and then physical, i.e. light. The cytologicaly simple S. obliquus, lacking elaborate gametangia, is suitable for gametogenesisexperimentation. Nitrogen starvation, reduced light, a temperature of 15°C, and high cell densities (>107 ml-1) appear necessary. In some respects the process in Scenedesmus is similar to that for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a frequently used modelsystem, where both adequate light intensity and quality are critical. The object of this proposal is to identify new amplifying conditions for increased gamete production in S. obliquus, focusing on light quality, especially blue light.

Publications

Total number of publications: 5


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