Decoded algae could aid biofuel, climate work

San Francisco Chronicle
David Perlman, Chronicle Science Editor
Friday, April 10, 2009

Scientists in laboratories at Moss Landing and Walnut Creek have decoded the genes of two widely varied species of ocean-dwelling algae, finding promising evidence of their ability to resist global climate change and clues to new sources of biofuels for an energy-short world.

The algae are called Micromonas, and they are among the vast and varied tribe of microscopic ocean plants whose evolutionary ancestors were among the very first organisms that populated the Earth, more than 3 billion years ago.

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