Re-engineering Algae for Biodiesel Production

Researchers at the Purdue School of Chemical Engineering are recent grantees of a federal fund, along with Iowa State University, to create genetically engineered algae that would produce environmental friendly biodiesel. In the laboratory, the researchers are growing algae in ‘bioreactor' to study specific pathways that would lead to lipid storage. Accumulated lipids will be turned into biodiesel later on. A flux map will be created that would reveal the speed of reactions along many ‘metabolic pathways' inside the algae. These will be important information that should enable researchers to engineer algae to store more lipids.

The researchers will also be developing algae that thrive in higher temperatures which natural algae cannot tolerate, for decontamination purposes. In addition, studies on ‘carbon assimilation' which will lead to lipid storage will be conducted. Arvind Varma, Purdue's R. Games Slayter Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and head of the School of Chemical Engineering, believes "on the importance of the work which aims to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels and our carbon footprint."

See the story for details at http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2010/100413MorganAlgae.html