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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
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High-Throughput Metabolic Profiling for Model Refinements of Microalgae
Published on: December 4, 2021
Nanoparticle-Induced Hormesis in Microalgae: Insights from Transcriptomics and Soft X-ray Tomography.
Shuai Xu1, Sheng-Lan Gong1, Yu-Tong Zheng1
1National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
Analytical Chemistry
|June 3, 2026
Summary
Nanoparticles (AgNPs) exposure in algae causes dose-dependent changes in cell structure and gene expression. This study links structural remodeling to hormesis and toxicity, identifying lipid droplets and starch as key biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Nanoparticle (NP) exposure can induce hormesis, a biphasic dose-response.
- Understanding NP effects requires linking molecular changes to cellular structure.
- Algae are sensitive models for environmental contaminant studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a multiscale platform linking organelle structure to gene expression.
- To investigate AgNP-induced hormesis and toxicity in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
- To identify structural biomarkers of cellular response to AgNPs.
Main Methods:
- Combined cryo-soft X-ray tomography (cryo-SXT) with transcriptomics.
- Applied the platform to algae exposed to varying AgNP concentrations.
- Compared AgNP effects with silver ion (Ag+) controls.
Main Results:
- Low-dose AgNPs induced hormesis with starch sheath thickening and lipid droplet shrinkage.
- High-dose AgNPs caused cytotoxicity with lipid droplet expansion and starch changes.
- Biphasic structural changes in lipid droplets and starch sheath identified them as biomarkers.
- Observed effects were largely attributed to dissolved Ag+.
Conclusions:
- The imaging-omics platform quantitatively links molecular regulation to structural phenotypes.
- Lipid droplets and starch sheath serve as sensitive biomarkers for AgNP exposure.
- Cellular adaptation to AgNPs involves significant organelle remodeling and metabolic reprogramming.
