Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2016, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (10): 128-134.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2016.10.015

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Advances in Studies on the Acclimation of Antarctic Ice Microalgae to Extreme Environments

WANG Yi-bin1, 2, ZHANG Ai-jun1, LIU Fang-ming1, 2, ZHENG Zhou1, 2, MIAO Jin-lai1, 2   

  1. 1. First Institute of Oceanography,State Oceanic Administration,Qingdao 266061;
    2. Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology,Qingdao 266235
  • Received:2016-07-13 Online:2016-10-25 Published:2016-10-12

Abstract: Antarctic ice microalgae are the phytoplankton or microalgae that thriving in the pelagic,ice and meltwater environments of the Antarctic,which are the main sources of primary production in an otherwise barren region. Antarctic microalgae possess unique adaptations that allow them to proliferate in extreme conditions characterized by low or freezing temperature,seasonal light,strong ultraviolet radiation and high salinity fluctuations. Thus,understanding the underlying mechanisms of their acclimation has gained strong interests in the past years. This paper then aims to provide a succinct review on the progress,status and new paradigms of research on Antarctic microalgae. These new findings on Antarctic ice microalgae will help us gain deeper insights into the general adaptive mechanisms of all phytoplankton to extreme environment and the potential role of these organisms in the important biogeochemical cycles.

Key words: antarctic ice microalgae, extreme environment adaptive mechanisms, cold-adaptability, UV-radiation, gene regulation and response