Georg-August-University Goettingen

The University of Göttingen is known for outstanding quality in several research areas and deeply anchored interdisciplinarity within natural and life sciences. The Department EPSAG focuses on RDT in biodiversity, systematics and evolution of microalgae. Molecular signatures are routinely determined for microalgae and cyanobacteria, to assess biodiversity in certain habitats and infer phylogenetic relationships. Cultures are developed from a variety of freshwater and terrestrial habitats, but culture-independent molecular methods are also used to study algal community structures and systematics.

The SAG, Culture Collection of Algae at the University of Goettingen, is among the three largest algal service culture collections in the world and a most comprehensive resource of micro algal cultures. It is supporting research in biotechnology and biodiversity through ex situ conservation of algae and expert knowledge on identifying and isolating. About 2300 strains, representing almost all classes and phyla of eukaryotic algae as well as cyanobacteria and comprising more than 500 genera and 1400 named species, are available from the SAG. In addition, there is an accessory data base of about 1000 strains which has been established through various research projects and collaborations; still not publicly available, but for research purposes at the SAG. Quality of the algal material is assessed using growth tests for contamination, microscopic documentation and includes routine application of DNA sequence signatures and bar codes.

At SAG, algal strains are characterized using molecular tools at different taxonomic levels for unambiguous identification.

Project coordinator, provider of well characterized algae strains, deep expertise in bioprospecting and strain selection