Transcriptomic sequencing of the Antarctic endemic brown alga Ascoseira mirabilis

Considering the extreme environment, the capacity of Antarctic macroalgae to adapt to ice, low temperatures, seasonal light fluctuations and solar UV radiation is an important determinant of their biological fitness. However, the genes associated with these adaptive characteristics in the Antarctic endemic brown alga Ascoseira mirabilis remain unknown. To better understand the strategies regarding the adaptation of brown algae to the harsh environments, the transcriptome of A. mirabilis were sequenced. This is the primary report of transcriptome sequencing of Antarctic brown algae. It will help to identify genes that are responsible for brown algae survival in the Antarctic extreme environments, as well as assisting in phylogenetic relationships, and biotechnological utilization studies of brown algae.