Genomes of two microalgae - the free-living Coccomyxa sp. C-169 and the symbiotic Chlorella sp. NC64A - were sequenced to identify features required for free-living vs. symbiotic lifestyles via comparative genome analysis. Lipids produced by these organisms may be an attractive candidate for biofuels. Novel cellulose degrading enzymes from chlorella may be useful in ethanol production from corn stover and switchgrass. Also, C-169 has an enzyme digestible cell wall, which makes it an attractive research subject over some other strains. Certain repeat elements in the in C-169 genome may be involved in the repair and maintenance of chromosome breaks and stabilizing telomeres, since they were found to accumulate at the newly formed telomeric regions in broken chromosomes by irradiation with electron beams. Thus, C-169 can serve as a model to study chromosome repair from irradiation. Despite morphological similarities between these organisms, genome analysis suggests that these 2 chlorellae are evolutionary further apart than anticipated initially, and that Chorella vulgaris clearly belongs to the Coccomyxa genus.

Publication:
Blanc, G. et al. The genome of the polar eukaryotic microalga Coccomyxa subellipsoidea reveals traits of cold adaptation. Genome Biology 13, R39 (2012).