Cyanobacteria: Wonderful Microorganisms for Basic and Applied Research

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Chauvat Cassier, Corinne | Chauvat, Franck

Edité par CCSD ; American Cancer Society -

International audience. Cyanobacteria, the only prokaryotes to perform photosynthesis, are fascinating organisms. They are regarded as the oldest phylum of bacteria that shaped the oxygenic atmosphere of our planet, and the progenitor of the plant-chloroplast. Contemporary cyanobacteria colonise most water (fresh, brackish and marine) and soils of our planet, as free-living or symbiotic organisms, and generate a large part of the oxygen and the biomass for the biosphere. Hence, a few edible cyanobacteria are being tested as a way to replenish O2, provide food and recycle wastes (CO2 and urea) during long-term space missions. Furthermore, cyanobacteria also synthesise a vast array of biologically active metabolites with great potential for human health and industries. Thus, cyanobacteria constitute promising microbial factories for the production of chemicals from highly abundant natural resources: solar energy, CO2, minerals and waters (even polluted). Key Concepts Cyanobacteria are ancient organisms. Cyanobacteria are environmentally important organisms. Cyanobacteria produce a huge biomass for the food chain. Cyanobacteria are widely diverse organisms. Cyanobacteria have a versatile metabolism of great biotechnological interest.

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