eview mics in algae : Paving the way for a systems biological understanding f algal stress phenomena ?

The last decade, the biological and biomedical scientific landscape has seen the increase in use and applications of “omics” technologies. These technologies provide methods that allow for a comprehensive description of nearly all components within the cell. Microalgae not only play an important ecological role, but are also of commercial importance and therefore call for an in depth knowledge of basic biological functions. Knowledge of separate algal subsystems has gradually become available, but the challenge remains to integrate data obtained from these subsystems and fromdifferent levels of biological organization. Systems biology is a discipline that aims at this integration.