Autofluorescence Imaging to Evaluate Red Algae PhysiologyTeresa Coronado-Parra 1, Mónica Roldán 2,3, Marina Aboal 4
1Microscopy Core Facility, Technological Research and Scientific Area (ACTI), University of Murcia, 2Confocal Microscopy and Cellular Imaging Unit, Genetic and Molecular Medicine Department, Pediatric Institute for Rare Diseases, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 3Research Institute Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain 4Algology Laboratory, Biology Faculty, University of Murcia, 4Algology Laboratory, Biology Faculty, University of Murcia
The present protocol describes step-by-step autofluorescence imaging and evaluation of phycobiliprotein changes in red algae based on spectral analysis. This is a label-free and non-destructive method to evaluate cellular adaptation to extreme habitats, when only scarce material is available and cells grow slowly, or not at all, under laboratory conditions.