io9: algae

Single-Cell Algae Can Swim In Two Different "Gears"

Stephen Goldmeier — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:21:50 PDT

A form of algae, called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, has a very complicated way of swimming. A new study published in Nature magazine explains how individual algae cells can control their motion using tiny little flagella operating in two different "gears."

The tiny Chlamydomonas cells use biological and chemical cues to control how their little swimming legs (which are actually flagella) move. The algae can beat their flagella in two gears: either in sync or out of sync. The in-sync motion pushes the little specks forward, but the out-of-sync motion can make the algae turn.

Scientists are calling the two flagella on these cells "coupled oscillators." Their motion is affected not only by the cell's individual chemical makeup, but by the motion of the fluid in which the algae is swimming.

The team, which is from Cambridge University, hopes that what they have learned about the algae's flagella will teach us about some larger, more human processes. The algae's flagella are pretty similar to the cilia on many cells that are very important in so many human processes.

Synchronized Swimming Of Algae [via ScienceDaily]

(Image: algae frantically spinning its flagella, from University of Cambridge)

Biotech Is The New Nanotech

Charlie Jane Anders — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:30:07 PST

Not only could we use algae as a new fuel source soon, but we also might use it to create better nanotechnology. Diatoms, tiny phytoplanktons, come encased in a unique cell wall made out of silica, which has pores and channels that increase its surface area dramatically. Using the existing complexity of these natural structures in nature could be a cheap way to make "lab-on-a-chip" systems for micro-analysis... without any industrial chemical processes. Diatom image by Peter Webber, from Nikon Small World. [Nanowerk]

Freakishly Huge Algae Bloom in London

Annalee Newitz — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:00:23 PST

Massive algae blooms killed seals, birds and sea lions on the California coast earlier this yea because algae exudes a toxin called domoic acid. When these blooms got out of control, aquatic animals would ingest the toxin because the fish they eat had been nibbling on these super-blooms. But those algae blooms were nothing compared to this one, seen in London's Hyde Park last year.

It's an art installation by Tony Heywood, called Super Algal Bloom. Covered in jewels, the algae is inspired by microscopic pictures of the same kinds of algae that killed seals in California. Don't worry - no animals were harmed in the making of this freaky macro-micro scientific art. Photo by CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images.

Green Ooze Controls Woman's Mind

charliejane — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:19:46 PST

From "Can algae save the world?" an exhibit at the Science Museum in London running until April 2008. Scientists are hoping the entire planet will use algae as biofuels in the future. More menacing algae after the jump. Images by Kirsty Wigglesworth for AP.