Martek Biosciences Corporation

About: Martek Biosciences Corporation is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Polyunsaturated fatty acid & Docosahexaenoic acid. The organization has 199 authors who have published 198 publications receiving 12343 citations.

The Genome of the Diatom Thalassiosira Pseudonana: Ecology, Evolution, and Metabolism

Abstract: Diatoms are unicellular algae with plastids acquired by secondary endosymbiosis. They are responsible for approximately 20% of global carbon fixation. We report the 34 million-base pair draft nuclear genome of the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana and its 129 thousand-base pair plastid and 44 thousand-base pair mitochondrial genomes. Sequence and optical restriction mapping revealed 24 diploid nuclear chromosomes. We identified novel genes for silicic acid transport and formation of silica-based cell walls, high-affinity iron uptake, biosynthetic enzymes for several types of polyunsaturated fatty acids, use of a range of nitrogenous compounds, and a complete urea cycle, all attributes that allow diatoms to prosper in aquatic environments.

Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation and cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease: a randomized trial.

Abstract: Context Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the most abundant long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid in the brain. Epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of DHA is associated with a reduced incidence of Alzheimer disease. Animal studies demonstrate that oral intake of DHA reduces Alzheimer-like brain pathology. Objective To determine if supplementation with DHA slows cognitive and functional decline in individuals with Alzheimer disease. Design, Setting, and Patients A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of DHA supplementation in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease (Mini-Mental State Examination scores, 14-26) was conducted between November 2007 and May 2009 at 51 US clinical research sites of the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to algal DHA at a dose of 2 g/d or to identical placebo (60% were assigned to DHA and 40% were assigned to placebo). Duration of treatment was 18 months. Main Outcome Measures Change in the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog) and change in the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) sum of boxes. Rate of brain atrophy was also determined by volumetric magnetic resonance imaging in a subsample of participants (n = 102). Results A total of 402 individuals were randomized and a total of 295 participants completed the trial while taking study medication (DHA: 171; placebo: 124). Supplementation with DHA had no beneficial effect on rate of change on ADAS-cog score, which increased by a mean of 7.98 points (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.51-9.45 points) for the DHA group during 18 months vs 8.27 points (95% CI, 6.72-9.82 points) for the placebo group (linear mixed-effects model: P = .41). The CDR sum of boxes score increased by 2.87 points (95% CI, 2.44-3.30 points) for the DHA group during 18 months compared with 2.93 points (95% CI, 2.44-3.42 points) for the placebo group (linear mixed-effects model: P = .68). In the subpopulation of participants (DHA: 53; placebo: 49), the rate of brain atrophy was not affected by treatment with DHA. Individuals in the DHA group had a mean decline in total brain volume of 24.7 cm 3 (95% CI, 21.4-28.0 cm 3 ) during 18 months and a 1.32% (95% CI, 1.14%-1.50%) volume decline per year compared with 24.0 cm 3 (95% CI, 20-28 cm 3 ) for the placebo group during 18 months and a 1.29% (95% CI, 1.07%-1.51%) volume decline per year (P = .79). Conclusion Supplementation with DHA compared with placebo did not slow the rate of cognitive and functional decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00440050

Beneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid on cognition in age-related cognitive decline

Abstract: Background Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays an important role in neural function Decreases in plasma DHA are associated with cognitive decline in healthy elderly adults and in patients with Alzheimer's disease Higher DHA intake is inversely correlated with relative risk of Alzheimer's disease The potential benefits of DHA supplementation in age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) have not been fully examined Objective Determine effects of DHA administration on improving cognitive functions in healthy older adults with ARCD Methods Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study was conducted at 19 US clinical sites A total of 485 healthy subjects, aged ≥55 with Mini-Mental State Examination >26 and a Logical Memory (Wechsler Memory Scale III) baseline score ≥1 standard deviation below younger adults, were randomly assigned to 900 mg/d of DHA orally or matching placebo for 24 weeks The primary outcome was the CANTAB Paired Associate Learning (PAL), a visuospatial learning and episodic memory test Results Intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated significantly fewer PAL six pattern errors with DHA versus placebo at 24 weeks (difference score, −163 ± 076 [−31, −014, 95% CI], P = 03) DHA supplementation was also associated with improved immediate and delayed Verbal Recognition Memory scores ( P P Conclusions Twenty-four week supplementation with 900 mg/d DHA improved learning and memory function in ARCD and is a beneficial supplement that supports cognitive health with aging Trial Registration Clinicaltrialsgov, Identifier: NCT0027813

Commercial developments in microalgal biotechnology

Abstract: A number of important advances have occurred in microalgal biotechnology in recent years that are slowly moving the field into new areas. New products are being developed for use in the mass commercial markets as opposed to the “health food” markets. These include algal-derived long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly docosahexaenoic acid, for use as supplements in human nutrition and animals. Large-scale production of algal fatty acids is possible through the use of heterotrophic algae and the adaptation of classical fermentation systems providing consistent biomass under highly controlled conditions that result in a very high quality product. New products have also been developed for use in the development of pharmaceutical and research products. These include stable-isotope biochemicals produced by algae in closed-system photobioreactors and extremely bright fluorescent pigments. Cryopreservation has also had a tremendous impact on the ability of strains to be maintained for long periods of time at low cost and maintenance while preserving genetic stability.