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The primary focus of my research is molecular ecology/functional genomics of dinoflagellates and other marine phytoplankton (microalgae). Current research can be summarized as: 1) molecular markers for growth rate and ecological adaptation in phytoplankton; 2) molecular genetics/genomics and evolution of dinoflagellates; 3) molecular markers to study dispersal and population dynamics of harmful algae; and 4) biodiversity of picodinoflagellates and other picoplankton.

The second focus of my research is microalgae for biofuel. We search for most promising candidates (robust, fast growing, high lipid content) and cheap ways (e.g. wastewater) to grow them for feedstock, and investigate genetic network regulating lipid synthesis to explore the potential of genetic manipulation to enhance lipid production in algae. 

In addition, we study the interaction between grazer and phytoplankton (and macroalgae). In particular, we are studying  zooplankton diet diversity in the natural environment.

 

Research Projects


Dinoflagellate full-length cDNA sequencing - National Science Foundation

SGER: Proof of concept on using spliced leader to study dinoflagellate gene expression in the ocean - National Science Foundation

AToL (Assemling the Tree of Life): An integrated approach to phylogeny of dinoflagellates - National Science Foundation

ECOHAB: Development of PCR and immunofluorescence methods to measure HAB cell concentration and cell division rate: Karlodinium micrum as a model system - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 

Current Students


Chiu-Yen (Rita) Kuo - Ph.D. Student
Xin Lin - Visiting Ph.D. student
Yunyun Zhuang - Ph.D. Student
 

Publications


Hou, Y. and Lin, S. 2009. Distinct gene number-genome size relationships for eukaryotes and non-eukaryotes: gene content estimation for dinoflagellate genomes. PLoS ONE 4(9): e6978. doi 10.1371/journal.pone.0006978.

 

Zhang, H., Campbell, D. A., Strum, N. R. and Lin, S. 2009. Dinoflagellate spliced leader RNA genes display a variety of sequences and genomic arrangements. Mol. Biol. Evol. 26: 1757-1771.

 

Lin, S., Zhang, H., Hou, Y., Zhuang, Y. and Miranda, L. 2009. High-level diversity of dinoflagellates in the natural environment, revealed by assessment of mitochondrial cox1 and cob for dinoflagellate DNA barcoding. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75: 1279-1290.

 

Lin, S., Sandh, G., Zhang, H., Cheng, J., Perkins, K., Carpenter, E. J. and Bergman, B. 2009. Two flavodoxin genes in Trichodesmium (Oscillatoriales, Cyanophyceae): remarkable sequence divergence and possible functional diversification. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 371: 93-101.

 

Lin, S., Zhang, H. and Gray, M. W. 2008. RNA editing in dinoflagellates and its implications for the evolutionary history of the editing machinery. In: H. Smith (ed.), RNA and DNA editing: Molecular Mechanisms and Their Integration into Biological Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p280-309.

 

Zhang, H., Litaker, W., Vandersea, M. W., Tester, P. and Lin, S. 2008. Geographic distribution of Karlodinium veneficum in the US east coast as detected by dual-gene Real-Time PCR assay. J. Plankton Res. 30: 905-922.

 

Zhang, H., Hou, Y., Miranda, L., Campbell, D. A., Sturm, N. R., Gaasterland, T. and Lin, S. 2007. Spliced leader RNA trans-splicing in dinoflagellates. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104: 4618-4623.

Zhang, H., Bhattacharya, D. and Lin, S. 2007.
A three-gene dinoflagellate phylogeny suggests monophyly of Prorocentrales and a basal position for Amphidinium and Heterocapsa  J. Mol. Evol. 65: 463-474.

 

Lin, S., Zhang, H., Hou, Y., Miranda, L. and Bhattacharya, D. 2006. Development of a dinoflagellate-oriented PCR primer set leads to the detection of picoplanktonic dinoflagellates from Long Island Sound. Appl. Environ. Micribiol. 72: 5626-5630.

Zhang, H. Bhattacharya, D. and Lin, S. 2005. Phylogeny of Dinoflagellates Based on Mitochondrial Cytochrome b and Nuclear Small Subunit rDNA Sequence Comparisons. J. Phycol. 41: 411-420.

Lin, S., Zhang, H., Spencer, D., Norman, J. and Gray, M. W. 2002. Widespread and extensive editing of mitochondrial mRNAs in dinoflagellates. J. Mol. Biol. 320:727-739.


Zhang, H. and Lin, S. 2002. Detection and quantification of Pfiesteria piscicida by using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 68: 989-994.

Senjie Lin

University of Connecticut Department of Marine Sciences
1080 Shennecossett Road Groton, CT 06340
Phone: (860) 405-9168
Fax: (860) 405-9153
email: senjie.lin@uconn.edu
http://www.phytoplankton.uconn.edu


      
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