Research
interests
I. Life cycle of Haematococcus
pluvialis
Determination of well-defined stages in the life cycle
or defined physiological conditions, at which the cells
are best suited for biochemical processing or genetic
manipulation.
II. Cell wall-related studies
The cell wall represents a major physical barrier
that impairs a proper cellular study of the alga. Its
removal will relieve the major obstacle to further biochemical
study and genetic manipulation (transformation and recombinant
DNA standard methodologies).
III. Cell fractionation and
organelles isolation
Isolation of nuclei, chloroplasts and mitochondria
should significantly promote algal cellular biochemistry
and molecular biology. This include analysis of nucleic
acids, protein and enzymes levels and their coordination
in anabolic pathways pertinent to carotenoids, photosynthesis,
and lipid synthesis.
IV. Transformation and genetic
engineering of H. pluvialis
Several methodologies for effective and stable transformation
of the algae are currently investigated, based on knowledge
accumulated on Chlamydomonas and other green algae.
Recent publications
Aflalo, C., Bing, W., Zarka, A and Boussiba, B. Effect
of the herbicide glufosinate (BASTA) on astaxanthin
accumulation in the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis.
Z. Naturforsch. 54, 49-54, 1999.
Azoulay-Zohar, H. and Aflalo, C. Binding of rat brain
hexokinase to recombinant yeast mitochondria: Identification
of necessary molecular determinants. J. Bioenerg. Biomembr.,
31, 567-577, 1999.
Azoulay-Zohar, H. and Aflalo, C. Binding of rat brain
hexokinase to recombinant yeast mitochondria: Identification
of necessary physico-chemical determinants. Eur J Biochem,
267, 2973-2980, 2000.
Boussiba, S. and Aflalo, C. An insight into the future of
microalgal biotechnology. Innovations in Food Technology, 28, 37-39, 2005.
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