Researchers have discovered a groundbreaking way to study the intricate interactions between marine algae and their bacterial companions using Raman spectroscopy. This non-invasive technique allows scientists to delve into the chemical composition of algal cells and their co-dependent relationship with bacteria, without disturbing the sensitive processes. The findings, published in ChemPhysChem, could pave the way for more efficient methods of algae cultivation, crucial for the future of biotechnology and energy production.
Deciphering an Algae-Bacteria Symbiosis
Sea lettuce is one amongst many algae like Ulva part of an essential group of ecosystem species that function as primary producers in marine environments. Without these bacteria, the alga do not grow and develop properly; however, to date it has been impossible to study how they interact with the algae because all previous methods have killed both microorganisms.
Researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT) and the Friedrich Schiller University Jena have now found a way around this issue. They can investigate the growth and interactions of green algae with their bacterial community in a non-invasive and non-destructive way using Raman spectroscopy. The approach, enables a detailed study of the development and behavior of algae without disturbing these fragile processes.
A useful tool: Raman Spectroscopy
Unique, Because Raman spectroscopy uses laser light to sift through the molecules in cells, it can be used as a mechanism for determining dyes or markers as a change in cellular programming. In the present study, the team teamed up with scientists at the University of Innsbruck and employed Raman spectroscopy to gather a highly informative picture about how algal cells interact with bacteria and their chemical composition.
“With our method, we aimed for a way to exactly map the cell structure of algae in their right difference and the interaction with bacteria”, says Constanze Schultz (Leibniz IPHT), first author of the study. Raman spectroscopy therefore offers a special chance to observe these mechanisms directly in native liquid environment without disturbing the samples.
Algae Cultivation and Sustainability Prospects
The findings from this study may have broader implications for the complex relationships between algae and their bacterial partners in nature. As algae are used more and more for consumption or bioenergy production, this research could help develop new ways to optimize algal cultivation.
In addition, a better understanding of molecular processes related to the synthesis of cell walls and of how abnormalities arise could contribute substantially to the devolpment of plants that are resistant to environmental stress conditions and less susceptible to diseases. These are traits that could very well result in supercharged, stress-tolerant algae engineered to produce mass quantities of biofuels from biotech and bioenergy production — problem solved.
As a whole, the Raman spectroscopy advance in probing algal-bacterial interactions has important implications for the continued success of sustainable and profitable algae-based industries.
