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Planetary Biology

Understanding life in its natural context

CHARM

The Chaetoceros Diatom as an Ecologically Relevant Model System for Molecular and Cell Biology Research.

Diatoms are unicellular eukaryotic algae critical for life on Earth, responsible for 25% of annual primary production and forming the basis of the marine ecosystem. 

Brightfield image of Chaetoceros neogracilis, isolated during the TREC Expedition in Tallinn, where chlorophyll is shown in red. Chaetoceros cells are enveloped in a silica cell wall and display characteristic spines called “setae” that serve a wide range of functions, from maintaining colonial forms to defense against predators. Credit: Thomas Beavis, Vincent Lab

The Chaetoceros diatom is the most common and diverse ocean diatom genus with following traits: 1) phenotypic plasticity, with both uni- and muti-cellular forms 2) symbiotic interactions with bacteria, viruses and eukaryotes 3) strong growth response to global warming, posing a potential threat and 4) significant biotech potential for biofuel production. We aim to lay strong foundations leading to the establishment of the Chaetoceros diatom as an ecologically relevant model system, by implementing state of art molecular and cell biology approaches, such as expansion microscopy and single cell transcriptomics.

Collaborators

Dey Group, EMBL Heidelberg

Dorrity Group, EMBL Heidelberg

Project lead

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