Key biofuel-producing microalga believed to be a single species is actually three

Key biofuel-producing microalga believed to be a single species is actually three. Originally identified in the mid-1800s, Botryococcus braunii is a photosynthetic organism known for producing hydrocarbons that can serve as a renewable fuel source. It was believed to consist of one species with three chemical races—A, B, and L—each producing slightly different oils. However, Boland and a team of Texas A&M AgriLife researchers revealed a 20-30% genetic difference between these races, leading them to propose new species classifications—a thrilling achievement for any biologist.

Date	August 19, 2024
Source	Texas A&M AgriLife Communications
Summary	When the global pandemic forced a former graduate student out of the lab and into computer-based research, he uncovered significant differences within the long-studied species Botryococcus braunii, revealing that it was not one species, but three.

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Why Key biofuel-producing microalga believed to be a single species is actually three

• Mapping the genome of your research organism is a huge advantage because it helps identify and understand gene functions. Another researcher had already sequenced the B race’s genome. They proposed extending this work to the A and L races. Not only would this be novel research, but it could also offer insights into how these races produce hydrocarbons.
• Though visually similar under the microscope, some scientists had debated whether these races were different species. The research team set out to answer this question using genomic data.
• Genetic analysis and discoveries
• While Botryococcus braunii has long been studied for its hydrocarbon production, sequencing its genome had been difficult. Researchers explained that the cells live in a thick, oily substance that complicates DNA extraction. Despite these challenges, the team successfully sequenced the genomes and used Texas A&M’s supercomputers to compare them.
• The results were striking. Everywhere they looked, there were differences. About 20% of the genes were unique to each race. To put this into context, the genetic difference between humans and chimpanzees is less than 2%.
• After further validation, they worked on reclassifying the races. They kept the name Botryococcus braunii for race B, and renamed race A to Botryococcus alkenealis and race L to Botryococcus lycopadienor, reflecting the type of hydrocarbons each species produces.

Defining a species

• In modern biology, species classification increasingly relies on genetic data. However, researchers noted that species recognition ultimately depends on acceptance by the scientific community.
• After publishing their findings in PLOS One, the team shared the data with over 100 researchers in the field. While the practical impact on research may be limited, the reclassification enhances scientific understanding of the organism’s relationships.
• They also made their findings publicly available, with full genome data on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website and emphasized, Science is a community effort. Our goal is to advance collective knowledge, and we think that’s what we’ve done here.

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