Project Number: 3622-21000-033-02
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Apr 01, 2010
End Date: Aug 31, 2013

Objective:
To advance technologies required to make the algae biofuels industry cost-effective.

Approach:
Investigate the elemental requirements for algae growth and oil production, the relationship between them and the genes responsible for it. We will conduct nutrient growth screens in collaboration with the Sayre lab at the Danforth Center. We will then conduct genetic screens for strains that use elements more efficiently while producing oils. We will also test strains with known ionomic genes deleted for their effect on the single cell ionome of a photosynthesizing organism.