Breakthrough in disease resistant seaweed
RESEARCH conducted into the genetic make-up of a resilient red alga has taken scientists a step closer to breeding disease resistant seaweed.
Researchers at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban have established the genetic code for the Porphyra umbilicalis, a small, but tough intertidal species that can tolerate a range of conditions and is among the world’s most valuable commercial seaweeds.
The researchers mapped the 13,125 genes in the seaweed – a human has around 20,000 – to help discover what makes the species so resilient, as they aim to breed marketable seaweed that can withstand threats from common diseases.
They examined the red alga’s pathogen receptors – the equivalent of antibodies that recognise diseases and alert the alga to an attack – and found that the alga’s defences are unlike other plants.
SAMS algal pathologist Dr Yacine Badis said: ‘Like any living organism, algae are plagued by diseases. Understanding how they detect and defend against disease is key to unlocking the future development of resistant strains.
‘Although red algae and land based plants are related, the typical defence mechanism found in plants was not detected in Porphyra. This means that Porphyra has original pathogen detection strategies, a finding that opens exciting avenues of research into red algal immunity and its use in modern breeding programmes.’
SAMS molecular phycologist Dr Claire Gachon said: ‘This work is part of our long term efforts to support the development of seaweed aquaculture worldwide through a better understanding of the diseases that plague the industry.’
The work at SAMS is part of the Global Seaweed project, funded by NERC.