A view of Soap Lake, Washington, where Chlorella sorokiniana strain SLA-04 and its associated prokaryotic community were isolated. Through their accepted FICUS proposal, Robin Gerlach of Montana State University and his colleagues are interested in characterizing the cross-domain interactions between the Chlorella strain SLA-04 that tolerates high pH and high alkalinity conditions, and algae-associated bacterial and/or archaeal members of the community. Their proposed scope of work will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of organismal interactions as well as contribute to improved biofuels and bioproduct generation. (Image courtesy of John Glassco, City of Soap Lake, Washington.)