Polar Microalgae: Functional Genomics, Physiology, and the Environment

Abstract

Microalgae underpin most foodwebs in polar regions as terrestrial primary production is too limited to support these complex and productive ecosystems. The success of microalgae in these extreme and highly variable ecosystems is rooted in their evolution and adaptation. The recent application of omics approaches in addition to biochemical and physiological measurements enabled a step change in our understanding of how these important organisms are adapted to their environment and how they have evolved from non-polar anchestors. This chapter is focused on diatoms and green algae as both groups of microalgae are most prevalent in polar regions. First genomes, transcriptomes, and reverse genetic tools have recently become available for representative species from both groups. They serve as important platforms to advance studies on their ecology, evolution, and adaptation. We highlight some of the key findings from these studies and link them with biochemical and physiological data to give insights into how genes and their products have shaped important microalgae in their diverse polar environments such as oceans, sea ice, permanently frozen lakes, snow and glaciers. Data from these studies will pave the way for understanding how these key organisms and their communities are going to respond to global climate change. They already provide novel genetic resources for various different biotechnological applications.