Akter, F, Krishnan, L, Mestres, G, Gustafsson, J, Ralph, PJ & Kuzhiumparambil, U 2025, 'Physicochemical characterization and evaluation of the antioxidant potential of water-soluble polysaccharides from red microalgae, Rhodomonas salina', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 310, pp. 143417-143417.
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Armbrecht, L, Focardi, A, Lawler, K-A, O’Brien, P, Leventer, A, Noble, T, Opdyke, B, Duffy, M, Evangelinos, D, George, SC, Lieser, J, López-Quirós, A, Post, A, Ostrowski, M, Paulsen, I & Armand, L 2025, 'From the Surface Ocean to the Seafloor: Linking Modern and Paleo-Genetics at the Sabrina Coast, East Antarctica (IN2017_V01)'.
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With ongoing climate change, research into the biological changes occurring in particularly vulnerable ecosystems, such as Antarctica, is critical. The Totten Glacier region, Sabrina Coast, is currently experiencing some of the highest rates of thinning across all East Antarctica. An assessment of the microscopic organisms supporting the ecosystem of the marginal sea-ice zone over the continental rise is important, yet there is a lack of knowledge about the diversity and distribution of these organisms throughout the water column, and their occurrence and/or preservation in the underlying sediments. Here, we provide a taxonomic overview of the modern and ancient marine bacterial and eukaryotic communities of the Totten Glacier region, using a combination of 16S and 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (modern DNA) and shotgun metagenomics (sedimentary ancient DNA, sedaDNA). Our data show considerable differences between eukaryote and bacterial signals in the water column versus the sediments. Proteobacteria and diatoms dominate the bacterial and eukaryote composition in the upper water column, while diatoms, dinoflagellates, and haptophytes notably decrease in relative abundance with increasing water depth. Little diatom sedaDNA was recovered from the sediments. Instead, sedaDNA was dominated by Proteobacteria and Retaria. We compare the diatom microfossil and sedaDNA record and link the weak preservation of diatom sedaDNA to DNA degradation while sinking through the water column to the seafloor. This study provides the first assessment of DNA transfer from ocean waters to sediments and an overview of the microscopic communities occurring in the climatically important Totten Glacier region. Such knowledge is important when reconstructing past ecosystems using the emerging sedaDNA approach as a new paleo-proxy, and the interpretation of biological changes in response to Antarctic ice sheet advances and retreats.
Button, C, Poddar, N, Lacassagne, T, Pernice, M, Gupta, V, Aditya, L, Kuzhiumparambil, U & Ralph, PJ 2025, 'Rheological characterization and modeling of freshwater and marine microalgae and cyanobacteria mixed cultures', Algal Research, vol. 88, pp. 103988-103988.
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Buzova, D, Petrilli, LL, Frohlich, J, Tsoneva, DK, Bianco, SD, Braghini, MR, Alisi, A, Mastronuzzi, A, Cerveny, J, Mazza, T, Vinci, M & Vinciguerra, M 2025, 'Extracellular Histones Profiles of Pediatric H3K27-Altered Diffuse Midline Glioma', Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 129-141.
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Camp, EF, Clases, D, Bishop, D, Dowd, A, Goyen, S, Gonzalez de Vega, R, Strudwick, P & Suggett, DJ 2025, 'Coral elementomes diverge for colonies persisting in vegetative lagoons versus reef environments', Science of The Total Environment, vol. 979, pp. 179455-179455.
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Focardi, A, Seymour, JR & Raina, J-B 2025, 'Overlooked tripartite microbial interactions influencing chemical cycling in the ocean', Trends in Microbiology, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 253-254.
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Herdean, A, Hoch, L, Willis, A, Benediktyova, Z, Zunt, R, Trtilek, M, Trtilek, J & Ralph, PJ 2025, 'Automated phenotyping of microalgae: scalable solution for high-throughput analysis', Bioresource Technology, vol. 434, pp. 132763-132763.
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Kondaveeti, S, Mondal, AK, Varghese, S, Sathish, CI, Akter, F, Kuzhiumparambil, U & Ralph, P 2025, 'Ulvan-based composite aerogels for efficient methylene blue adsorption', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 309, pp. 142687-142687.
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Labara Tirado, J, Herdean, A & Ralph, PJ 2025, 'The need for smart microalgal bioprospecting', Natural Products and Bioprospecting, vol. 15, no. 1.
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Abstract Microalgae’s adaptability and resilience to Earth’s diverse environments have evolved these photosynthetic microorganisms into a biotechnological source of industrially relevant physiological functions and biometabolites. Despite this, microalgae-based industries only exploit a handful of species. This lack of biodiversity hinders the expansion of the microalgal industry. Microalgal bioprospecting, searching for novel biological algal resources with new properties, remains a low throughput and time-consuming endeavour due to inefficient workflows that rely on non-selective sampling, monoalgal culture status and outdated, non-standardized characterization techniques. This review will highlight the importance of microalgal bioprospecting and critically explore commonly employed methodologies. We will also explore current advances driving the next generation of smart algal bioprospecting focusing on novel workflows and transdisciplinary methodologies with the potential to enable high-throughput microalgal biodiscoveries. Images adapted from (Addicted04 in Wikipedia File: Australia on the globe (Australia centered).svg. 2014.; Jin et al. in ACS Appl Bio Mater 4:5080–5089, 2021; Kim et al. in Microchim Acta 189:88, 2022; Tony et al. in Lab on a Chip 15, 19:3810–3810; Thermo Fisher Scientific INC. in CTS Rotea Brochure). Graphical abstract
Larkum, AWD, Falkowski, PG, Edwards, D, Osmond, CB, Lambers, H, Sanchez-Baracaldo, P, Ritchie, RJ, Runcie, JW, Ralph, PJ, Westoby, M, Maberly, S, Griffiths, H, Smith, FA & Beardall, J 2025, 'John Raven, FRS, FRSE: a truly great innovator in plant physiology, photosynthesis and much more', Photosynthesis Research, vol. 163, no. 2.
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Abstract This is a tribute to a truly inspirational plant biologist, Prof. John A. Raven, FRS, FRSE (25th June 1941– 23rd May 2024), who died at the age of 82. He was a leader in the field of evolution and physiology of algae and land plants. His research touched on many areas including photosynthesis, ion transport, carbon utilisation, mineral use, such as silicon, iron and molybdenum, the evolution of phytoplankton, the evolution of root systems, the impact of global change, especially on the acidification of the oceans, carbon gain and water use in early land plants, and ways of detecting extraterrestrial photosynthesis. Beginning his research career in the Botany School, University of Cambridge, John studied ion uptake in a giant algal cell. This was at the time of great strides brought about by Peter Mitchell (1920–1992) in elucidating the role of energy generation in mitochondria and chloroplasts and the coupling of ion transport systems to energy generation. With Enid MacRobbie and Andrew Smith, John pioneered early work on the involvement of ion transport in the growth and metabolism of plant cells.On leaving Cambridge John took up a lectureship at the University of Dundee in 1971, where he was still attached upon his death. His primary focus over the years, with one of us (Paul Falkowski), was on phytoplankton, the photosynthetic microalgae of the oceans. Still, his publication list of 5 books and over 600 scientific papers spans a very broad range. The many highly cited papers (see Table 1) attest to an outstanding innovator, who influenced a multitude of students and coworkers and a very wide readership worldwide. At the personal level, John Raven was a wonderful human being; he had an extraordinary memory, dredging up facts and little-known scientific papers, like a scientific magician, but at the same time making humorous jokes and involving his colleagues in fun and sympathetic appreciation.
Larsson, ME, Hallegraeff, G, Doblin, MA & Tillmann, U 2025, 'Prorocentrum insidiosum sp. nov. (Prorocentrales, Dinophyceae): Morphological and Phylogenetic Characterization of a Mucosphere Producing Dinoflagellate From the “cordatum Group”', Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, vol. 72, no. 4.
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ABSTRACTProrocentrum cf. balticum was the provisional designation assigned to strains of a small, pelagic, mixoplanktonic dinoflagellate found to produce carbon‐rich mucilage‐based prey capture devices, termed “mucospheres.” Here we characterize the morphology and phylogeny of the strains, describe them as Prorocentrum insidiosum sp. nov., and discuss common morphological features among the six species of the phylogenetically defined P. cordatum group. Cells of P. insidiosum sp. nov. were round to slightly ovate in lateral view, 12–16 μm long and 8–15 μm deep, and laterally compressed. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the thecal plates were densely ornamented with short spines and there were two size classes of pores irregularly distributed across both plates, and a row of two to four large round pores in apical‐ventral position on the right thecal plate. The periflagellar area consisted of eight platelets, and there were two prominent wing‐like apical projections in the form of a double layered curved structure on platelet 1 with additional projections on most other platelets except platelet 4. Prorocentrum insidiosum sp. nov. is distinct from all genetically represented species within the genus and possesses a unique combination of morphological features differentiating it from other protologues of small Prorocentrum species.
Le, TH, Nguyen, HAD, Ha, QP, Ahmed, M, Barthelemy, X, Jiang, N, Duc, H, Azzi, M & Riley, M 2025, 'Dependable Dempster-Shafer Inference Framework for Urban Air Quality Monitoring', IEEE Sensors Journal, pp. 1-1.
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Mukherjee, S, Sen, R, Ralph, PJ & Poddar, N 2025, 'The catalytic role of carbonic anhydrase in optimizing carbon fixation in microalgal cultures', Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 505, pp. 145461-145461.
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Nguyen, HAD, Le, HT, Barthelemy, X, Azzi, M, Duc, H, Jiang, N, Riley, M & Ha, QP 2025, 'A Deep-Learning-Based Visualization Tool for Air Pollution Forecasting', IEEE Software, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 47-56.
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O’Donnell, SE, Ruggeri, M, Blanco-Pimentel, M, Morikawa, MK, Harms, E, Calle-Triviño, J, Flanagan, BA, Carlson, HK, Kenkel, CD & Million, WC 2025, 'Species-specific patterns of population genetic structure differ on a microgeographic scale', Coral Reefs, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 353-358.
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Abstract Coral exhibits substantial variation in pelagic larval duration, dispersal range, and population connectivity. In this study, we used reduced representation genotyping to compare the genetic structure of Caribbean reef-building species along the southeastern Dominican Republic coastline to assess connectivity within the likely dispersal kernel. Despite relatively small geographic distance between reefs, species-specific differences in genetic structure were observed. The broadcasting coral Orbicella faveolata had high levels of genetic connectivity. Between the two brooding species, Agaricia agaricites showed strong genetic subdivision, while Porites astreoides exhibited high levels of gene flow. These results suggest that multiple factors outside of life history characteristics influence genetic differentiation among populations, with species-level variability underscoring the importance of restoration and management strategies tailored to individual species, considering regional genetic and environmental variability.
Picknell, KJ, Poddar, N, McCauley, JI, Chaves, AV & Ralph, PJ 2025, 'Whole cell microalgae: Potential to transform industry waste into sustainable ruminant feed', Bioresource Technology, vol. 430, pp. 132547-132547.
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Ross, PM & Scanes, E 2025, 'Using self-determination theory as a lens to create sustainable futures for teaching and education focused academics in higher education in Australia', Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 90-107.
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Salloum, PM, Guo, J & Scanes, E 2025, 'Molluscan microbiomes: current research focus, knowledge gaps, and future directions', Molluscan Research, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 125-136.
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Scanes, E, Siboni, N, Potts, J, Rao, S, Labbate, M & Seymour, JR 2025, 'Temporal and spatial co-occurrence of pacific oyster mortality and increased planktonic Vibrio abundance', iScience, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 111674-111674.
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Siboni, N, King, WL, Tongacan, M, Williams, NLR, Carney, R, Mahbub, KR, Rahman, MM, Seymour, JR & Labbate, M 2025, 'Antibiotic resistance gene levels within a highly urbanised estuary', Marine Environmental Research, vol. 204, pp. 106961-106961.
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Suggett, DJ, Goergen, EA, Fraser, M, Hein, MY, Hoot, W, McLeod, I, Montoya-Maya, PH, Moore, T, Ross, AM & Vardi, T 2025, 'A user’s guide to coral reef restoration terminologies', Coral Reefs, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 731-743.
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Abstract Global coral reef restoration efforts continue to diversify in approach, location, and socio-ecological context. In parallel, vocabulary has evolved such that practitioners, scientists, policy makers, communicators, and investors must navigate an increasingly confusing set of terms that are inconsistently defined. Precision around terms and definitions is an important attribute underpinning the rate and extent with which restoration can scale. However, in contrast with more established ecological restoration fields, coral reef restoration lacks a formal lexicon for its core approaches and processes. Here we synthesize, distill, and clarify a core lexicon proposed for coral reef restoration. We navigate readers systematically through terms used for various coral reef restoration approaches, project planning and intent, process workflows, and biological material. We also consider vague terms commonly used that present challenges to singularly define. While we expect this proposed lexicon to continue to evolve, we offer an important first step toward more integrated communications around coral reef restoration.
Tarsitano, M, Liu Chung Ming, C, Bennar, L, Mahmodi, H, Wyllie, K, Idais, D, Al Shamery, W, Paolino, D, Cox, TR, Kabakova, I, Ralph, P & Gentile, C 2025, 'Chlorella-enriched hydrogels protect against myocardial damage and reactive oxygen species production in an in vitro ischemia/reperfusion model using cardiac spheroids', Biofabrication, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 015006-015006.
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Abstract Microalgae have emerged as promising photosynthetic microorganisms for biofabricating advanced tissue constructs, with improved oxygenation and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, their use in the engineering of human tissues has been limited due to their intrinsic growth requirements, which are not compatible with human cells. In this study, we first formulated alginate–gelatin (AlgGel) hydrogels with increasing densities of Chlorella vulgaris. Then, we characterised their mechanical properties and pore size. Finally, we evaluated their effects on cardiac spheroid (CS) pathophysiological response under control and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) conditions. Our results showed that the addition of Chlorella did not affect AlgGel mechanical properties, while the mean pore size significantly decreased by 35% in the presence of the 107 cells ml−1 microalgae density. Under normoxic conditions, the addition of 107 Chlorella cells ml−1 significantly reduced CS viability starting from 14 d in. No changes in pore size nor CS viability were measured for hydrogels containing 105 and 106 Chlorella cells ml−1. In our I/R model, all Chlorella-enriched hydrogels reduced cardiac cell sensitivity to hypoxic conditions with a corresponding reduction in ROS production, as well as protected against I/R-induced reduction in cell viability. Altogether, our results support a promising use of Chlorella-enriched Alg–Gel hydrogels for cardiovascular tissue engineering.
Tsoneva, DK, Buzova, D, Bianco, S, Mazza, T, Cerveny, J, Yotov, Y, Kisheva, A & Vinciguerra, M 2025, 'Circulating Histone Profiles Discriminate Heart Failure Patients With Preserved Versus Reduced Ejection Fraction', Journal of Cardiac Failure, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 331-332.
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Vo, PHN, Kim, M, Kuzhiumparambil, U, Hinkley, C, Hong, J, Zhang, T, Pernice, M, Cullen, PJ & Ralph, PJ 2025, 'Random mutagenesis using cold atmospheric plasma to produce mutant microalgae for hyper-recovery of rare earth elements from mining materials', Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 503, pp. 158512-158512.
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Voolstra, CR, Alderdice, R, Colin, L, Staab, S, Apprill, A & Raina, J-B 2025, 'Standardized Methods to Assess the Impacts of Thermal Stress on Coral Reef Marine Life', Annual Review of Marine Science, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 193-226.
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The Earth's oceans have absorbed more than 90% of the excess, climate change–induced atmospheric heat. The resulting rise in oceanic temperatures affects all species and can lead to the collapse of marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. Here, we review the range of methods used to measure thermal stress impacts on reef-building corals, highlighting current standardization practices and necessary refinements to fast-track discoveries and improve interstudy comparisons. We also present technological developments that will undoubtedly enhance our ability to record and analyze standardized data. Although we use corals as an example, the methods described are widely employed in marine sciences, and our recommendations therefore apply to all species and ecosystems. Enhancing collaborative data collection efforts, implementing field-wide standardized protocols, and ensuring data availability through dedicated, openly accessible databases will enable large-scale analysis and monitoring of ecosystem changes, improving our predictive capacities and informing active intervention to mitigate climate change effects on marine life.
Williams, NLR, Siboni, N, Potts, J, Scanes, P, Johnson, C, James, M, McCann, V, Reun, NL, King, WL & Seymour, JR 2025, 'Faecal contamination determines bacterial assemblages over natural environmental parameters within intermittently opened and closed lagoons (ICOLLs) during high rainfall', Water Research, vol. 268, pp. 122670-122670.
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