Decoding the genome of Chlorella microalgae, a promising genus for biofuel production
Friday, November 5, 2010 - 13:30
in Biology & Nature
The analysis of the complete genome of Chlorella microalgae, a promising genus for biofuel production, has now been completed. The detailed elucidation of the Chlorella genome, also widely used as a food supplement, will make it possible to rationalize its industrial use. This analysis has also brought to light unexpected findings at the fundamental level: it suggests that Chlorella could have a sexual cycle (which had gone unnoticed so far) and that a virus probably gave it the capacity to synthesize chitin-rich cell walls a unique property in algae.
