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In a recent study, researchers from the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT) and the Friedrich Schiller University Jena have shown how they can non-invasively and non-destructively investigate the growth and interactions of the green alga Ulva and its bacterial community using Raman spectroscopy.

This method allows precise analysis of algae development without disturbing the sensitive processes. The study was published in the journal ChemPhysChem.

Algae such as Ulva, also known as sea lettuce, play a vital role in marine ecosystems and could become increasingly important in biotechnology and energy production in the future. Bacteria are essential for the normal growth and development of algae. Until now, it has been difficult to study these processes in real time without affecting the algae. This is where Raman spectroscopy comes in.

New insights into cell growth

In close collaboration with the University of Innsbruck, the Jena research team used Raman spectroscopy to obtain detailed information about the chemical composition of algal cells and their interactions with bacteria. This method uses laser light to probe molecules inside cells, allowing researchers to detect changes in cell structure without the need for dyes or markers.

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