Cell Biology and Microbial Interactions in Algal Cells

Abstract

Algae, including cyanobacteria, dominate aquatic habitats. They are the principal producers of aquatic environments. On the other hand, microbes, are essential algal helpers and are known as holobionts. Holobionts are algae-associated microbes that include bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Over millions of years, many interaction mechanisms between algal cells and their halobiont have evolved. These interactions include mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. These interactions are critical for ecosystem resistance and resilience. Microbes, for example, regulate algal cell proliferation by producing toxic metabolites that control the algal growth. Alternatively, the production of vitamins and growth factors by microbes might promote algal cell proliferation. Moreover, in biotechnological applications, the algae and bacteria co-cultures are very promising as a sustainable application to persistent environmental issues and green energy solutions. Various mechanisms of intracellular and extracellular algae microbe interactions were discussed in this chapter. This is an endeavor to get knowledge about algae-microbe interactions for biomass-based energy solutions and other environmental applications.