Raffaela M. Abbriano

Whole-genome duplication in an algal symbiont bolsters coral heat tolerance

This study confirms whole-genome duplication in the algal symbiont Durusdinium trenchii and shows how lifestyle adaptations enhance coral thermotolerance.

Real time mobilization of a novel diatom Mutator-Like Element (MULE) transposon to inactivate the uridine monophosphate synthase (UMPS) locus in Phaeodactylum tricornutum

The paper identifies a novel MULE transposon in diatoms that mobilizes in real-time, inactivating the UMPS locus, and suggests a new mobilization mechanism with implications for genome evolution and biotechnology.

Overexpression of key sterol pathway enzymes in two model marine diatoms alters sterol profiles in Phaeodactylum tricornutum

This study overexpresses HMGR and SQE enzymes in diatoms to alter sterol profiles, showing differential accumulation of intermediates and end-point sterols in Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

A plastid antiporter as a bioindicator of Thalassiosira pseudonana resilience

The paper identifies a plastid antiporter in Thalassiosira pseudonana that shows differential transcript levels under elevated CO2, suggesting it could serve as a bioindicator of diatom resilience.