Algae Collection MZCH

Microalgae and Zygnematophyceae Collection Hamburg (MZCH) - A Living Resource for Research, Biodiversity and Biotechnology

The Microalgae and Zygnematophyceae Collection Hamburg (MZCH) is a living algae culture collection comprising over 830 strains of cultivated microalgae, including 695 strains from the class Zygnematophyceae (conjugating green algae). The eight families of the Zygnematophyceae represented in the collection include: Closteriaceae (42), Desmidiaceae (570), Gonatozygaceae (7), Peniaceae (11), Mesotaeniaceae (28), Serritaeniaceae (4), Spirogyraceae (12), and Zygnemataceae (21). A smaller portion of the collection consists of various microalgae strains with biotechnological relevance: Chlorellaceae (3) Haematococcaceae (1), Merismopediaceae (1), Scenedesmaceae (8). This exceptional reference collection provides a valuable foundation for evolutionary, molecular, and applied research in microalgal biology.

Research Focus and Applications

From Water to Land – Understanding Evolution
Molecular taxonomic studies have identified the Zygnematophyceae as the closest relatives of land plants, making them a key group for understanding the colonization of terrestrial habitats approximately 500 million years ago. The MZCH supports research into the molecular and physiological adaptations that enabled this evolutionary transition. One of the collection’s key objectives is to identify and establish suitable model organisms from the diverse Zygnematophyceae lineage to further investigate their relevance for evolutionary biology, environmental adaptation, and stress physiology.

Access to Global Biodiversity
With over six decades of isolation history from diverse global sites, the MZCH grants unique access to rare and endangered microalgal species - many of which are maintained exclusively in Hamburg. It serves as a source of standardized reference material for taxonomic, molecular, and physiological research, supporting a global scientific community.

Synergies with Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
As part of several collaborative projects, we investigate the biotechnological potential of microalgae and their associated microbiomes.
Current focus areas include:

Isolation and screening of microorganisms and enzymes from aquatic environments
Antioxidant enzymes and quorum-quenching compounds for applications in cosmetics and aquaculture
Microbial strains and enzymatic functions to promote plant health and suppress pathogens in agricultural sciences
Pollutant uptake and degradation, as well as identification of bioactive metabolites for use in wastewater treatment
Production of algal oils and lipids for renewable bioenergy generation
Development of cultivation strategies for the sustainable application of microalgae in research and industry

Service & Access

The MZCH serves as a central hub for scientific research on microalgae. We support research projects by providing selected strains and offering expert advice on cultivation, molecular characterization, and ecological classification.

Contact
If you are interested in our collection, collaborative research, or wish to share your ideas, we would be delighted to hear from you.

E-Mail: mzch-sammlung.biologie"AT"uni-hamburg.de