3
© Springer International Publishing AG 2017
M. Kumar, P. Ralph (eds.), Systems Biology of Marine Ecosystems,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-62094-7_1
Chapter 1
Macroalgal Functional Genomics: A Missing
Area
Vishal Gupta, Mukesh Jain, and C.R.K. Reddy
Abstract Functional genomics may be defined as the study of deciphering the function and regulation of genes for various traits. Functional genomics has made significant advances in decoding functionality of gene(s) and their regulations furthering
our knowledge of systems biology of an organism. The true benefits of such studies
have widely been realized in terrestrial plants by understanding their bio- architecture,
physiology, regulation and metabolic activations. The functional genomics studies
for marine macroalgae (seaweeds) are underdetermined despite their proven economic value. Seaweeds are generally found growing in the intertidal region and
experience diverse chronic stresses, including the desiccation, intense irradiance,
ultraviolet radiation, salinity and submergence/exposure arising from periodic regular tidal rhythms. The molecular basis of genetic regulations involved in physiological adaptation of seaweeds is limited. The whole genome sequences available for
Ectocarpus siliculosus and Chondrus crispus remained largely functionally unannotated. On the other hand, the seaweed improvement programmes also retarded due
to limitation of mapping of functional traits over genetic loci. So far, only a few verities were developed using time-consuming conventional breeding approach. The
advancement in functional genomics in seaweeds can significantly contribute to
these gap areas. Moreover, the functional genomics will facilitate decoding of the
mechanisms regulating biosynthesis of species-specific valuable products. This will
support the genetic manipulation research for improvements of desired traits in seaweeds. This review, therefore, highlights the potentials of functional genomics in
understanding and resolving the unexplored facts about seaweed physiology and trait
characterization for developing strategies towards crop improvement.
V. Gupta (*)
Biological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, India
e-mail: vishalg@nio.org
M. Jain
School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University,
New Delhi, India
C.R.K. Reddy (*)
Division of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals
Research Institute, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India
e-mail: crk@csmcri.res.in
© Springer International Publishing AG 2017
M. Kumar, P. Ralph (eds.), Systems Biology of Marine Ecosystems,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-62094-7_1
Chapter 1
Macroalgal Functional Genomics: A Missing
Area
Vishal Gupta, Mukesh Jain, and C.R.K. Reddy
Abstract Functional genomics may be defined as the study of deciphering the function and regulation of genes for various traits. Functional genomics has made significant advances in decoding functionality of gene(s) and their regulations furthering
our knowledge of systems biology of an organism. The true benefits of such studies
have widely been realized in terrestrial plants by understanding their bio- architecture,
physiology, regulation and metabolic activations. The functional genomics studies
for marine macroalgae (seaweeds) are underdetermined despite their proven economic value. Seaweeds are generally found growing in the intertidal region and
experience diverse chronic stresses, including the desiccation, intense irradiance,
ultraviolet radiation, salinity and submergence/exposure arising from periodic regular tidal rhythms. The molecular basis of genetic regulations involved in physiological adaptation of seaweeds is limited. The whole genome sequences available for
Ectocarpus siliculosus and Chondrus crispus remained largely functionally unannotated. On the other hand, the seaweed improvement programmes also retarded due
to limitation of mapping of functional traits over genetic loci. So far, only a few verities were developed using time-consuming conventional breeding approach. The
advancement in functional genomics in seaweeds can significantly contribute to
these gap areas. Moreover, the functional genomics will facilitate decoding of the
mechanisms regulating biosynthesis of species-specific valuable products. This will
support the genetic manipulation research for improvements of desired traits in seaweeds. This review, therefore, highlights the potentials of functional genomics in
understanding and resolving the unexplored facts about seaweed physiology and trait
characterization for developing strategies towards crop improvement.
V. Gupta (*)
Biological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, India
e-mail: vishalg@nio.org
M. Jain
School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University,
New Delhi, India
C.R.K. Reddy (*)
Division of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals
Research Institute, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India
e-mail: crk@csmcri.res.in