Molecular
biotechnology of marine algae in China
Song
Qin, Peng Jiang, Cheng-Kui 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)