Nannochloropsis. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Nannochloropsis is considered a promising alga for industrial applications because of its ability to accumulate high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, it shows promising features that can allow genetic manipulation aimed at the genetic improvement of the current oleaginous strains. At the moment it is mainly used as an energy-rich food source for fish larvae and rotifers. Nevertheless, it has raised growing interest also for the investigation of biofuel production from photosynthetic organisms. Nannochloropsis is also in use as food additive for human nutrition. Magnification: x10000, when printed 10 centimetres wide. Specimen courtesy of Mike Allen, Plymouth Marine Laboratory.