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Elizabeth Pyle

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Instagram: erp6266

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Micro images

Image title:

Lipid and Starch Accumulation in Micractinium sp.

Image description:

This confocal image (60X oil-immersion) of a novel acid-tolerant alga, Micractinium sp., reveals simultaneous hyper-accumulation of neutral lipid and starch granules. Cell wall architecture (Calcofluor white, DAPI filter, blue) binding to β-1,3 glucan showcases structural integrity under low pH conditions (pH=3.5). Cytosolic neutral lipid bodies (labelled with Nile Red, TRITC filter, yellow-orange) confirm the hyperaccumulation of triacylglycerols with chlorophyll autofluorescence (red), while chloroplast-proximal starch granules (detected via fluorescein diacetate, FITC filter, green) reveal concurrent carbon flux diverted to both storage compounds. This unique dual accumulation phenotype could be taken advantage of by next-generation biorefineries.