Molecular biotechnology of marine algae in China
S.
Qin, P. Jiang, C.-K. Tseng-2004
Hydrobiologia, 512
(1-3): 21-26
Abstract
:
Molecular
biotechnology of marine algae is referred to as the biotechnology on the
identification, modification, production and utilization of marine algal
molecules. It involves not only the manipulation of macromolecules such as
DNA, RNA and proteins, but also deals with low molecular weight compounds
such as secondary metabolites.
In
the last decade, molecular systematic researches to investigate the
relationship and to examine the evolutionary divergence among Chinese marine
algae have been carried out by Chinese scientists. For example, RAPD has
been widely used in several laboratories to elucidate genetic variations of
the reds, such as Porphyra, Gracilaria, Grateloupia
and the greens such as Ulva and Enteromorpha. Some
important data have been obtained. The study on molecular genetic markers
for strain improvement is now in progress.
In
1990s, genetic engineering of economic seaweeds such as Laminaria, Undaria,
Porphyra, Gracilaria and Grateloupia has been studied in
China. For Laminaria japonica, the successfully cultivated kelp in
China, a model transformation system has been set up based on the
application of plant genetic techniques and knowledge of the algal life
history. Progress has been made recently in incorporating a vaccine gene
into kelp genome. Evidence has been provided showing the expression of gene
products as detectable vaccines.
In
the present paper, the progress of molecular biotechnological studies of
marine algae in China, especially researches on elucidating and manipulating
nucleic acids of marine algae, are reviewed.
(Institute
of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China E-mail: sqin@ms.qdio.ac.cn)