Exploring functionality and stability of cryopreserved algae

• Grant number: 14/23605-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: February 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany
• Principal Investigator: Armando Augusto Henriques Vieira
• Grantee: Letícia Piton Tessarolli
• Supervisor: John Godfrey Day
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Scotland
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/18327-0 - Criopreservation of germplasm of freshwater microalgae: methodology development, BP.DR

Abstract

Future scientific and biotechnological exploitation of microalgae and cyanobacteria will be critically dependent on the availability of genetically and functionally stable master stock-cultures. Whilst historically maintenance by serial transfer has been the method of choice by research scientists and culture collections, as the number of strains held ex situ increase the logistic and cost implications of this approach make it impracticable. Cryopreservation, low temperature storage, provides the only practicable option as once held at low temperatures (<-130oC), stability is effectively independent of storage duration. However, there is a remarkably small evidence-base for alga to substantiate the claim that algae, in the context of biotechnologically exploitable resources, are genotypically and functionally stable on and after cryopreservation. The scientific objective of this study is to develop/ refine a platform technology that allows us to assess and demonstrate both genetic and functional stability. (AU)