S.I. Blackburn, J.-M. LeRoi, C. Johnston, D. Frampton, S.W. Jeffrey
The CSIRO Collection of Living Microalgae is a culture collection of over 700 strains of marine and freshwater microalgae. It is a major microalgal collection in the Australasian region and is unique in its holdings which focus on Australian strains, representing some of the microalgal biodiversity of the region. Other foci include food species for aquaculture and toxic algae. Housed in a world-class algal culture facility, it is a research resource enabling investigations into algal growth and physiology, biochemistry and molecular genetics. Current research is closely aligned with environmental and industry needs: algal bloom dynamics and regulation of toxin production, nutritional requirements of juvenile aquaculture animals, and the search for bioactive compounds and rare chemicals. Strong collaborative links are established with the aquaculture industry and, in new initiatives, with the biotechnology industry. The developments in microalgal biotechnology highlight new research and commercial value of microalgae as producers of important bioactive compounds. The CSIRO Collection of Living Microalgae operates a Supply Service, providing microalgal strains, including axenic strains, to researchers and industry for a fee. This service provides starter cultures to the majority of Australia's aquaculture industry and has a significant market in the Asian and Western Pacific regions as well as international clients as far afield as Europe. The isolation of new strains appropriate for Australian industry is associated with this service.
(CSIRO Division of Marine Research, GPO Box 1538, Hobart. Tasmania, 7001, Australia.)