Mixotrophy in algae

Mixotrophy, a combination of autotrophy and heterotrophy has been found in different classes of phytoplankton and ciliates. In cooperation with the Limnological Institute of Constance and the University Duisburg-Essen, we are investigating the physiological adaptions and strategies of mixotrophic flagellates to changing external conditions. Our model organisms are mixotrophic, autotrophic and heterotrophic representatives of the genus Chrysophyceae (golden- brown algae) which can be found in oligotrophic water bodies like Lake Constance. We are especially interested in regulation of carbon metabolism and energy production in the different species. Within this project, we apply a wide range of methods like microbiological techniques, Clark-electrode measurements, flow-cell cytometry (Coulter principle), RNA-extraction from different algae, quantitative Real-Time PCR, cloning techniques and applied bioinformatics for analysis of EST-data.