Development of a transformation protocol and cell culture system for the commercially important species of red macroalga, Gracilaria gracilis

A better understanding of how this commercially important seaweed responds at a genetic level to stresses faced in the aquaculture environment would not only be advantageous to the South African industry, but this knowledge is essential for selecting and/or engineering macroalgal strains that are either more tolerant or resistant to these stresses. This requires in vivo analysis of G. gracilis gene function and regulation in order to introduce new or improved genes into G. gracilis, and for this to be possible, a protocol for transformation of recombinant DNA into G. gracilis is required. In this study a transformation and tissue culture system for G. gracilis was developed. These tools provide the necessary groundwork for future genetic manipulation studies that are essential for improving our understanding of the role that various genes play in stress response and tolerance in G. gracilis.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Huddy, Suzanne Margaret

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Coyne, Vernon
• Meyers, Ann

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/4274

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/4274