Project description
Microalgal crystal formation: implications for optical materials and ecology
Studies of bio-mineralisation have largely focused on the optical functions of organic crystals in animals. Recently, studies of unicellular microalgae have revealed the formation of nitrogen-rich purine crystals – as reserves to overcome environmental nitrogen deficiencies. The formation mechanisms and ecological implications are largely unknown. The ERC-funded CRYST_ALGAE project aims to elucidate purine crystal structures and functions using advanced imaging and chemical analysis. It will engineer microalgae as factories to generate optically functional crystals via bioreactor cultures. In parallel, the project will investigate whether crystal-based nitrogen storage in microalgae prolongs their growth, with implications for harmful algal bloom dynamics. CRYST_ALGAE will thus connect microscale organic biomineralisation to both ocean ecosystems and biotechnology.
Objective
Until now, the field of organic biomineralization has focused on the optical functions of organic crystals in animals. However, the
recent discovery that purine crystals are widespread in unicellular microalgae is a paradigm shift in this field. In contrast to animals,
microalgae use the nitrogen-rich crystals as dense, metabolically inert nitrogen reserves, to overcome deficiencies in environmental
nitrogen. Almost nothing is known about the chemistry of these crystals, their formation, or the wider implications of their nitrogen
storage functions on microalgae behavior. Our overarching goal is to understand microscale molecular crystallization in microalgae
and its impact on macroscale ecological phenomena and the biotechnological production of optically functional crystals.
We first elucidate the structures and functions of uncharacterized purine crystals which are abundant in microalgae. By controlling
the nitrogen content of cultures, we exploit the ability to induce crystallization in microalgae using live cell, and correlative light-electron imaging to couple chemical and morphological properties of crystal formation. Combined with cryo-electron microscopy and chemical analyses, we determine the locations and functions of crystal-regulating biomolecules and elucidate how insoluble
guanine molecules are rapidly crystallized and dissolved in the cell. Knowledge of crystallization is then harnessed to manipulate
microalgal cells as crystal-forming factories to biosynthesize optically functional crystals using bioreactor cultures. Finally, we
test the hypothesis that the nitrogen-storage function of crystals in dinoflagellates may serve to prolong their growth in seasonal and
harmful algal blooms. Our exploration of crystallization in microalgae will transform our knowledge of microscale organic
biomineralization and will contribute to understanding the macroscale impact of molecular crystals on ocean ecosystems and biotechnology – a new frontier in the field.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-COG
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BS8 1QU BRISTOL
United Kingdom
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