By using a biotechnological approach to breed
Porphyra, Porphyra protoplasts have been selectively
prepared to produce new seedlings with
beneficial characteristics, such as enlarged thalli,
and stress resistance to higher temperatures or
lower salinity.6–10 Cell fusion techniques are also
used to improve the properties of seedlings, resulting
in higher growth rates, and increased diseasetolerance
and resistance.11–16 Moreover, there have
been few reports on the transient expression of the
reporter gene in the red alga Porphyra miniata.
17
However, transgenic techniques for stable gene
expression have not yet been established in
seaweeds