TY - JOUR
T1 - The Algal Revolution
AU - Brodie, Juliet
AU - Chan, Cheong Xin
AU - De Clerck, Olivier
AU - Cock, J. Mark
AU - Coelho, Susana M.
AU - Gachon, Claire
AU - Grossman, Arthur R.
AU - Mock, Thomas
AU - Raven, John A.
AU - Smith, Alison G.
AU - Yoon, Hwan Su
AU - Bhattacharya, Debashish
PY - 2017/8/1
Y1 - 2017/8/1
N2 - Algae are (mostly) photosynthetic eukaryotes that occupy multiple branches of the tree of life, and are vital for planet function and health. In this review, we highlight a transformative period in studies of the evolution and functioning of this extraordinary group of organisms and their potential for novel applications, wrought by high-throughput ‘omic’ and reverse genetic methods. We cover the origin and diversification of algal groups, explore advances in understanding the link between phenotype and genotype, consider algal sex determination, and review progress in understanding the roots of algal multicellularity. Experimental evolution studies to determine how algae evolve in changing environments are highlighted, as is their potential as production platforms for compounds of commercial interest, such as biofuel precursors, nutraceuticals, or therapeutics.
AB - Algae are (mostly) photosynthetic eukaryotes that occupy multiple branches of the tree of life, and are vital for planet function and health. In this review, we highlight a transformative period in studies of the evolution and functioning of this extraordinary group of organisms and their potential for novel applications, wrought by high-throughput ‘omic’ and reverse genetic methods. We cover the origin and diversification of algal groups, explore advances in understanding the link between phenotype and genotype, consider algal sex determination, and review progress in understanding the roots of algal multicellularity. Experimental evolution studies to determine how algae evolve in changing environments are highlighted, as is their potential as production platforms for compounds of commercial interest, such as biofuel precursors, nutraceuticals, or therapeutics.
KW - Archaeplastida
KW - genomics
KW - origin of multicellularity
KW - plastid endosymbiosis
KW - systems biology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85020425440&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.05.005
DO - 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.05.005
M3 - Review article
C2 - 28610890
AN - SCOPUS:85020425440
SN - 1360-1385
VL - 22
SP - 726
EP - 738
JO - Trends in Plant Science
JF - Trends in Plant Science
IS - 8
ER -