Strains of normally bioluminescent species always contained lcf even when they were found not to produce light, thus demonstrating the utility of this methodology as a powerful tool for identifying bioluminescent species. Bioluminescence and lcf were confined to the

Gonyaulacales, Noctilucales, and Peridiniales. Considerable variation was observed among genera, or even species within some genera, that contained this gene. Partial sequences of lcf were obtained for the genera Ceratocorys, Ceratium, Fragilidium, and Protoperidinium as well as from previously untested species or gene regions of Alexandrium and Gonyaulax. The sequences revealed BI 6727 nmr high variation among gene copies that obscured the boundaries between species or even genera, some of which could be explained by the presence of two genetic variants within the same species of Alexandrium. Highly divergent sequences within Alexandrium and Ceratium show a more diverse composition of lcf than previously known. “
“Keeping sterile stocks or cultures of microalgae is fundamental to microalgae biotechnology as well as basic scientific research. However, contamination by bacteria and/or fungi in microalgae cultures or stocks is often a problem. Here, we have developed a strategy for

reducing or eliminating bacterial selleck compound and fungal contamination by using a cocktail of antibiotics. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii P. A. Dang., a widely used unicellular green alga, has been used as a testing organism. A combination of ampicillin, cefotaxime, and carbendazim removed or reduced contamination by three different bacteria and two different fungi tested. A step-by-step procedure is provided, which is simple, economical, and effective. “
“Coccoid green algae are among the most widespread photosynthesizers in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments (Krienitz and Bock 2012). These little “green balls”

occur virtually in every type of aquatic and terrestrial habitat where photosynthesis is possible, and their existence was already known by phycologists of the 19th century, who provided the first species descriptions (e.g., Nägeli 1849). Due to their small size, general invisibility to the unaided eye, and uniform appearance, for Calpain a long time these algae did not attract substantial interest from scientists. The scarcity of morphological characters useful for their differentiation led to the general impression that coccoid green algae represented a homogeneous, poorly diversified group of organisms. This is reflected in the history of their classification: until a few decades ago, green coccoids were united in the single-order Chlorococcales and subdivided into a relatively small number of genera. Ultrastructural and molecular data have now revolutionized this view. In the last 20 years, coccoid green algae have been an endless source of surprises, and still continue to be.