Integrative Multi-Omics Analysis of Abiotic Stress Responses in Freshwater Microalgae: Insights into Biomolecule Production and Population Growth

• Grant number: 25/10069-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Ana Teresa Lombardi
• Grantee: Leonardo Murilo Aoyagi
• Supervisor: Steven Hallam
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of British Columbia, Vancouver (UBC), Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/12994-7 - Proteomic analysis, production and manipulation of biomolecules in Chlorophyta e Cyanobacteria: a cell stimulus approach, BP.DD

Abstract

Freshwater microalgae represent a promising biotechnological alternative for the sustainable production of high-value biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. These biomolecules have applications in various sectors, including bioenergy, food, and nutrition, due to the ability of microalgae to grow rapidly in non-agricultural environments with high photosynthetic efficiency. However, large-scale production still faces challenges, requiring the optimization of cultivation conditions. This project aims to investigate how copper supplementation and variations in light quality modulate the metabolism of Chlorolobion braunii and Monoraphidium pseudobraunii through integrative omics approaches. C. braunii has demonstrated a 60% and 130% increase in protein and lipid content, respectively, in response to copper, while M. pseudobraunii exhibited a 55% increase in growth rate under blue light. Given their potential in various industrial applications, it is essential to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind these responses. Since the genomes of these microalgae are not yet available, sequencing their genetic material is a critical step to establish foundational resources for advanced molecular studies. Genome sequencing will enable the construction of complete, closed reference assemblies, which are essential for accurate annotation of coding regions, regulatory elements, and biosynthetic pathways. This will not only facilitate the identification of genes involved in key metabolic routes, but also allow for comparative genomic analyses with other microalgae and microorganisms. In parallel, transcriptomic profiling will provide comprehensive insights into how gene expression patterns are modulated under different environmental stimuli, such as copper supplementation and light spectrum variation. By analyzing the transcriptome, it is possible to pinpoint which genes are differentially expressed under specific conditions, uncovering regulatory mechanisms that drive increased production of proteins, lipids, and other valuable compounds. These data are crucial to understand the dynamic cellular responses and to identify potential molecular targets for future metabolic engineering efforts. Together, genome and transcriptome data will offer a systems-level understanding of Chlorolobion braunii and Monoraphidium pseudobraunii metabolism, supporting the development of optimized cultivation strategies and unlocking their full biotechnological potential. Professor Hallam and his group at the University of British Columbia (UBC) offer extensive expertise in microbial genomics, transcriptomics, and systems biology. Their experience in reconstructing and interpreting complex gene expression networks in diverse microorganisms makes them ideal collaborators to support this work, particularly in sequencing, assembling, and analyzing the genomes and transcriptomes of these non-model microalgal species. UBC provides cutting-edge infrastructure including a high-throughput lighting system for plate-based screening of photosynthetic microorganisms and a collaborative research environment that will offer all the necessary support to ensure the success of this project.