In-situ identification of chemical composition of intracellular crystalline inclusions of microalgae by confocal Raman microscopy

Annotation: Many microalgae contain various microcrystalline inclusions. Their extraction and identification by standard analytical methods is often difficult and prone to artifacts; therefore, for many microalgae the chemical composition of their microcrystalline inclusions remains unknown or misidentified. Confocal Raman microscopy is a perspective method for non-destructive and non-contact study of chemical composition of intracellular environment with submicron spatial resolution. In the case of photosynthetic organisms, this is a little explored area, where many interesting discoveries can be expected due to the large number of phylogenetically diverse algal species. Since particular chemical compounds are characterized directly by their vibration spectra, confocal Raman microscopy allows to study chemical composition in situ directly within intact cells, without the need for extraction, and in the context of the chemical composition of other intracellular structures. In our previous studies, we have already shown that many microalgae contain microcrystalline inclusions of guanine and other purines. The subject of the dissertation will be study and elucidation of chemical composition of various microcrystalline inclusions in microalgae of phylogenetically different species. Furthermore, the conditions and mechanisms of their formation will be studied. Necessary experimental equipment is available and our team is already involved in Raman microscopy of microalgae. Appropriate microalgae will be acquired from publicly accessible collections of microorganisms. Applicant is expected to possess knowledge at the level of completed MSc. degree in biophysics, chemical physics, biochemistry or biology, but in particular an initiative and independent approach.