Algae, like other organisms, host microbiomes, which are bacterial communities that live associated with them. Just as human microbiomes are critical to human health, algae microbiomes play essential roles in algae health. The area surrounding an algal cell, where these specialized bacteria reside, is known as the phycosphere. This is similar to the rhizosphere, the region surrounding plant roots where beneficial bacteria interact with plants. In fact, many types of bacteria found in the rhizosphere are also present in the phycosphere. These beneficial bacteria support algae in various ways, such as providing essential vitamins, enhancing access to key nutrients, and outcompeting harmful bacteria. In some cases, algae-bacteria relationships have developed over hundreds of thousands of years of coevolution, becoming essential for the growth and survival of both organisms.
As part of the experimental work completed in the ALGECO project, several strains of bacteria from algal phycospheres have been isolated (see Figures 1 and 2). We have identified potentially beneficial strains by isolating these bacteria and analyzing their genetic sequences. Culturing these bacteria allows us to test them for traits that may promote algal health.
The experiments described contribute to the growing field of phycosphere research. Phycospheres remain comparatively less studied than the analogous rhizosphere; however, findings increasingly suggest that promoting healthy algae microbiomes is critical to optimizing algae cultivation. This important area of research has the potential to enhance the field of algae biotechnology to address societal challenges by contributing to developments in sustainable biomass production, bioremediation technology, and alternative sources of valuable bioactive compounds.
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