’Talking’ algae could provide new route to monitoring climate change

A University of Bath scientist has for the first time developed a way of monitoring alterations in the aquatic system by listening to microalgae communicating. Last updated on Monday 2 July 2018 - Led by the University of Bath, the research which has been published in demonstrates that contrary to popular belief, microalgae do communicate with each other when under stress. The researchers have revealed that under darkness a population of Diatoms - a type of microalgae - produce electrical oscillations. This cell-to-cell communication is believed to be a feedback or survival mechanism as a result of stress due to changes in the microalgae's physiochemical environment - such as light deprivation and temperature rises. This cell-to-cell signalling is designed to counteract these changes and could result in the formation of algal blooms. Key to understanding climate change. By decoding this form of communication, at the phase where the concentration of cells most increases with time (growth phase), the researchers believe this will provide vital clues to understanding world challenges such as climate change.