Аннотация:Due to the unique capability of modulating cell membrane potential upon photoactivation, channelrhodopsins of green (Chlorophyta) and cryptophytic (Cryptophyta) algae are widely employed in optogenetics, a modern method of light-dependent regulation of biological processes. To enable the search for new genes perspective for optogenetics, we have developed the PCR tests for the presence of genes of the cation and anion channelrhodopsins. Six isolates of green algae Haematococcus and Bracteacoccus from the White Sea region and 2 specimens of Rhodomonassp. (Cryptophyta) from the re-gions of White and Black Seas were analyzed. Using our PCR test we have demonstrated the known Haematococcus rhodop-sin genes and have discovered novel rhodopsin genes in the genus of Bracteacoccus. Two distantly homologous genes of anion channelrhodopsins were also identified in the cryptophytic Rhodomonassp. from the White and Black Seas. These results indicate that the developed PCR tests might be useful tool for a broad-range screening of the Chlorophyta and Cryptophyta algae to identify unique channelrhodopsin genes.