Identification and functional characterization of proteins involved in coccolith biogenesis in Emiliania huxleyi

• Applicant: Professor Dr. André Scheffel
• Subject Area: Plant Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Term: from 2012 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 213929262

The intricately-shaped CaCO3 platelets (coccoliths) produced by unicellular coccolithophorid algae are one of the most elaborate examples for biologically produced inorganic minerals. Coccolith morphology is genetically encoded as evidenced by the variety of species-specific coccolith morphologies. Coccolith biogenesis is a paradigm for the controlled formation of complex-structured biomaterials and a molecular understanding of coccolith morphogenesis is expected to spur the development of novel synthetic routes for the fabrication of complex-structured materials. The molecular machinery involved in coccolith biogenesis, however, remains largely unidentified. This research program aims at the identification and characterization (in vitro and in vivo) of proteins associated with coccoliths and the coccolith deposition vesicle in Emiliania huxleyi, which is the dominant coccolithophore in present-day oceans. A methodology for genetic transformation of E. huxleyi will be developed and utilized for functional analysis of the identified members of the coccolith forming machinery. To date, genetic transformation is not established for any coccolithophore. The suggested research program will make a significant contribution to the quest for solving the enigma of coccolith morphogenesis and pave the way for functional genetic analysis of other aspects of coccolithophore biology.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups