DNA
What role does genetics play in algae?
A major role of genetics in algae is that it helps identify species when morphological features are not sufficient to identify species. Let's say, for example, that you have two algae with very similar structures, but you don't know whether they are the same species or not. Genetics is, in a way, helping us to solve some of the unknowns and this is where genomics comes in.
Importance of genomics
The complete knowledge of the genome sequence is a relevant feature for genetic manipulation in algae and other organisms, since it allows knowing if there is homology of genes from different sources and integration sites within the genome. So far, more than 120 different algae have been sequenced, including phyla such as Miozoa, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Careohyta, Rhodophyta, Cryptophyta, Haptophyta, Ochrophyta, Glaucofphyta, Rhodophyta, Euglenozoa, and Cercozoa.
By Maria Jose Castaneda Mercado
Miami University
AIP Project Dragonlfy Student
Biology in the Age of Technology- Bio 632 B
