Editing Euglena (section)

==Uses==
[[File:Bioconvection Euglena Concentration series Colour.jpg|thumb|right|Cultures of ''Euglena'' in a petri dish]]
''Euglena'' has been used extensively as a model organism. It is capable of both heterotrophic and photosynthetic growth, meaning it can be grown in both light and dark conditions and it is thus relatively easy to cultivate. ''Euglena'' was one of the first photosynthetic organisms to have its chloroplast [[genome]] sequenced, and the chloroplast of ''Euglena'' has been extensively studied in the fields of biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology.<ref name=Schwartzbach>{{cite book|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-54910-1 |title=Euglena: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology |series=Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology |date=2017 |volume=979 |isbn=978-3-319-54908-8 |editor-last1=Schwartzbach|editor-first1=S.D.|editor-last2=Shigeoka|editor-first2=Shigeru}}</ref> In 2015, Ellis O'Neill and Professor Rob Field have sequenced the transcriptome of ''Euglena gracilis'', which provides information about all of the genes that the organism is actively using. They found that ''Euglena gracilis'' has a whole host of new, unclassified genes which can make new forms of [[carbohydrate]]s and natural products.<ref>[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150814075751.htm The potential in your pond] published on August 14, 2015 by the "John Innes Centre"</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1039/C5MB00319A |pmid=26289754 |title=The transcriptome of Euglena gracilis reveals unexpected metabolic capabilities for carbohydrate and natural product biochemistry |year=2015 | last1=O'Neill | first1=Ellis C. | last2=Trick | first2=Martin | last3=Hill|first3=Lionel|last4=Rejzek|first4=Martin |last5=Dusi|first5=Renata G.|last6=Hamilton|first6=Christopher J.|last7=Zimba|first7=Paul V.|last8=Henrissat|first8=Bernard|last9=Field|first9=Robert A.|journal=Molecular BioSystems |volume=11 |issue=10 |pages=2808–21|doi-access=free}}</ref> In addition, ''Euglena'' is commonly used in classrooms to demonstrate important biological processes, such as photosynthesis,<ref name="Edelmann">{{cite journal |last1=Edelmann |first1=Hans G. |last2=Martius |first2=Thilo |last3=Hahn |first3=Achim |last4=Schlüter |first4=Kirsten |last5=Nessler |first5=Stefan H. |title=Learning about the Nature of Science Using Algae |journal=School Science Review |volume=98 |issue=362 |pages=85–90 |date=September 2016}}</ref> or [[population growth]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Anggraini|first1=R.|last2=Somakim|last3=Hapizah|date=February 2019|title=Students' understanding of logarithms using the growth of Euglena viridis context|journal=Journal of Physics: Conference Series|language=en|volume=1166|issue=1 |pages=012037|doi=10.1088/1742-6596/1166/1/012037|bibcode=2019JPhCS1166a2037A |s2cid=92221946 |issn=1742-6596|doi-access=free}}</ref>

The taste of powdered ''Euglena'' is described as dried sardine flakes, and contains minerals, vitamins and docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 acid. The powder is used as ingredient in other foods.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/01/23/national/tiny-euglena-latest-fad-in-eating-healthy/#.XPJ52eQ4VZU |title=Tiny euglena latest fad in eating healthy|work= The Japan Times|date=23 January 2014}}</ref> Kemin Industries sells a euglena nutraceutical supplement ingredient featuring dried ''Euglena gracilis'' with high levels of [[Beta-glucan|beta glucan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=BetaVia™|url=https://www.kemin.com/content/kemin/eu/en/home/products/betavia|access-date=2021-09-16|website=Kemin|language=en}}</ref>

The lipid content of ''Euglena'' (mainly wax esters) is seen as a promising feedstock for production of biodiesel and [[jet fuel]].<ref name="Toyama-2019">{{cite journal |last1=Toyama |first1=Tadashi  |last2=Hanaoka |first2=Tsubasa  |date=2019 |title=Enhanced production of biomass and lipids by Euglena gracilis via co-culturing with a microalga growth-promoting bacterium |journal=Biotechnology for Biofuels |volume=12 |page=205 |doi= 10.1186/s13068-019-1544-2|pmid=31695747 |pmc=6822413 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Under the aegis of [[Itochu]], a start-up company called Euglena Co., Ltd. has completed a refinery plant in Yokohama in 2018, with a production capacity of 125 kiloliters of bio jet fuel and biodiesel per year.<ref>{{cite news |last=Okutsu |first=Akane |date=2018 |title=Biotech company euglena teams with ANA to fuel green commercial flights |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Jet-biofuel-mass-production-to-begin-in-Japan |publisher=Nikkei |publication-date=November 2, 2018 |access-date=April 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>Video explanation lacks technical details but suggests degree of government commitment to solving problems of large-scale cultivation and infrastructure. CEO of Euglena Co. wears euglena-green necktie. {{cite web |url=https://www.japan.go.jp/technology/innovation/fuelingjet.html |title=Fueling Jet Aircraft With Microalgae: Growing biofuel without farmlands |website=JapanGov |publisher=The Government of Japan |access-date=April 8, 2020 }}</ref>