Coccomyxa sp. strain Obi. Coccomyxa sp. Obi

Coccomyxa sp. strain Obi which has previously been called Pseudococcomyxa ellipsoidea is a unicellular green alga belonging to Trebouxiophyceae. This strain grows rapidly in liquid and solid cultures, and accumulates lipids under stress conditions. This strain is able to grow at pH below 3.5 where contamination of open pond cultures by other phototrophs and predators is greatly reduced. Thus, strain Obi can be used as feedstock for biofuels. To improve lipid productivity of this strain, we are currently developing various genetic methods that can be applied to it.