Cryopreservation of algae strains - supporting the algal bioeconomy

Algal batch cultures that are routinely sub-cultured for hundreds of generations will lose their phenotypic plasticity resulting in genetic drift. Cryopreservation of algae strains prevents genetic drift and contamination. There are over 350,000 species of microalgae but and only a few dozen have been successfully cryopreserved.

The specific aims of project are to target marine algal cells (large diatoms and chain-forming species) and examine
- ways to optimise freezing-down protocols;
- encapsulation to minimise cell wall damage
- effectiveness of different format cryopreservation vessels and cryoprotectants
- effectiveness of LN storage
- aspects of re-animation processes
- suitable genomic markers for maximizing detection of genetic drift

The Climate Change Cluster (C3) in UTS Faculty of Science undertakes integrated and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences. The institute’s goal is to deliver meaningful, impactful research to inform solutions to mitigate climate change impacts on our plant-microbe ecosystems, which are critical for the well-being of the animals, plants and our communities.
that rely on them.

C3 has been delivering research excellence in category-1 grants since 2008 and has now reached the size and scale to be a nationally recognised research cluster with sufficient breadth of skill to enable it to expand into areas with an industry focus, in particular to support Australia’s emerging bio-economy. This project is in collaboration with CSIRO.