Chromera
Chromera velia is a unicellular photosynthetic chromerid in the superphylum Alveolata. It is of interest in the study of apicomplexan parasites, specifically their evolution and accordingly, their unique vulnerabilities to drugs.
C. velia uses metabolites (reduced carbon) from its chloroplast as its primary energy source. The same is true of another chromerid Vitrella brassicaformis. Together these are phylogenetically the closest known autotrophic organisms to apicomplexans, a group of aleovates that carry a non-photosynthetic plastid called the apicoplast. The apicomplexans include many parasites important to human and animal health such as the malaria pathogen Plasmodium.
C. velia can be cultured in a lab like other algae. As relatives of the apicomplexans (both are aleovates), chromids offer a glance into how the apicomplexans (and other aleovates groups in general such as the dinoflagellates) have evolved. The Aleovata are known for having many unique biochemical and physiological features that surprise scientists who are more used to working with more familiar eukaryotes. By studying C. velia, the whole group can be better understood by using this chromerid as a reference point.
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