Abstract: Model organisms are used to reveal biological phenomena with a universal pattern. Traditionally, only a few organisms have been extensively studied, but modern research tools enable researchers to expand the collection of model organisms to include seldom-studied and unusual organisms. Naegleria gruberi, as a free-living protist, has long been regarded as a research model for the assembly of basal body and flagellum due to its rapid transition between two highly distinguishable states,crawling amoeba and swimming flagellates. Recently, Naegleria genome sequencing has provided us with a new research perspective. This article focuses on the introduction of new functional studies and biological features revealed by genome sequencing, including facultative anaerobic metabolism, a wide range of signaling cascades, primitive biological status and single-cell meiosis, which provides novel perspectives and references for future studies in N. gruberi.

Key words: non-classical model organisms, Naegleria gruberi, genome, metabolism, signaling pathway