Research Platforms & Facilities

Since its inception, the team has systematically established integrated experimental and computational platforms for single-cell organism isolation, identification, and functional genomics. Equipped with comprehensive hardware and software resources for the cultivation, isolation, characterization, modification, and genomic data analysis of microalgae and microorganisms, we provide a robust foundation for the engineering of single-cell factories as well as phenotypic and genotypic resolution.

1. Cell Culture Platform

· (1) Bioreactors, culture tanks, incubators, temperature-controlled rooms, and artificial climate chambers dedicated to algal cultivation.

· (2) Custom-designed high-intensity photobioreactors with controllable light intensity, providing sample sources for in-depth phenotypic and genotypic analysis.

· (3) Low-temperature display cabinets for algal strains, enabling high-volume storage of engineered cells.

· (4) -80°C ultra-low temperature freezers for high-volume storage of various microbial strains and plasmids.

2. Genetic Engineering Platform

· (1) High-throughput tissue grinders for rapid preparation of mutant gDNA and RNA, facilitating mutant screening and genotyping.

· (2) DNA and RNA manipulation platforms, including Bio-Rad and Eppendorf gradient PCR systems, qPCR instruments, and GeneQuant™ 1300 UV-Vis spectrophotometers for nucleic acid quantification.

· (3) Bio-Rad Gene Pulser Xcell™ Electroporation Systems for genome editing, laying the foundation for genotyping and genetic engineering improvements.

· (4) Protein analysis platform featuring Blue Native PAGE, SDS-PAGE, and the Amersham WB integrated Western Blotting system.

3. Phenotypic Analysis Platform

· (1) Biological microscopes, inverted microscopes, and fluorescence microscopes for microscopic observation.

· (2) Growth rate monitoring systems, including GeneQuant™ 1300 UV-Vis spectrophotometers (for OD measurement) and 0.01 mg precision electronic balances (for dry cell weight determination).

4. Photosynthetic Physiology Analysis Platform

· (1) Respiration rate and photosynthetic parameter measurement systems, including CHLOROLAB 2 liquid-phase oxygen electrodes, and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging systems (Imaging-PAM and Dual-PAM100).

· (2) Qualitative and quantitative detection of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoids) using GeneQuant 1300 and Shimadzu spectrophotometers; ultra-low temperature fluorescence emission spectrum detection using the Hitachi F-4600 spectrophotometer system.

5. Metabolite Analysis Platform

· Instrumentation includes in-house TLC (Thin-Layer Chromatography) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) platforms for the monitoring of key proteins and metabolites.

Institutional Support Supported by the State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, the team has full access to a comprehensive suite of software and hardware platforms for single-cell physiology, molecular biology, genetic engineering, directed cell evolution, and phenotypic and genotypic resolution.