AN INTRODUCTION TO CHLAMYDOMONAS

Chlamydomonas is a single-celled, biflagellate, green alga, approximately 10μ long. (Pictures) The genus Chlamydomonas contains several species that have become popular as research tools, but by far the most frequently used is Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Unless specifically stated otherwise, all of the information on this site deals with C. reinhardtii. As both a research and teaching organism it offers several advantages:

It is nutritionally simple and cheap to grow. Can be grown photosynthetically, heterotrophically or mixotrophically.

Is eukaryotic, but can be handled by standard microbial techniques

It is motile and shows simple behavioral traits (See swimming)

Can be grown as synchronous or asynchronous cultures

Has a fast mitotic life cycle and also undergoes controlled sexual reproduction

Has excellent genetics. Nuclear, chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes all have available markers

All three genomes can be transformed, the nuclear genes can be transformed by very simple technology

A wide range of mutant stocks, plasmids and DNA clones are available from the stock center collection

Long term storage in liquid nitrogen is possible

It is supported by the Genetics Society of America

It is mentioned in the book '100 things to do before you die'

It is pretty, non-pathogenic, doesn't stink, doesn't contaminate other cultures and no one cares if you kill it