Microalgae are considered one of the most promising feedstocks of biodiesel. However, the genetic diversity, variation and evolution of the microalgal traits relevant to oil production remain ill defined. Answers to these questions have obvious implications in developing strategies or approaches of higher throughput, sensitivity, accuracy and reproducibility for screening, characterizing and engineering of crucial microalgal traits. Nannochloropsis is a phylogenetic distinct genus of small unicellular microalgae. Members of this group have been found to be capable of rapid growth and robust production of neutral lipids while supplied with flue gases in large-scale cultivations. In this talk, I will first briefly review the current status and challenges of oilgae feedstock research and development. Then I will introduce a Functional Phylo-Genomics approach to investigate and engineer the genomic diversity, function and evolution of microalgal oil production using Nannochloropsis as a model. This effort is part of the international collaboration on FUNGEA, or FUNctional Genomics of Energy Algae.

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