{"id":2069,"date":"2011-11-25T22:19:42","date_gmt":"2011-11-25T22:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/autos\/?p=2069"},"modified":"2011-11-25T22:19:42","modified_gmt":"2011-11-25T22:19:42","slug":"scientists-boost-algae-biomass-bring-on-bio-fuel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/autos\/scientists-boost-algae-biomass-bring-on-bio-fuel\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientists Boost Algae Biomass, Bring on Bio-Fuel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Genetics researchers at Iowa State University have discovered how to make algae produce between 50 and 80 percent more biomass, a finding that could foster the production of algal biofuel. The modification on the part of the scientists involves expressing, or activating, two genes that promote photosynthesis.<\/p>\n

In nature, algal growth is governed by the amount of carbon dioxide available. In relatively low carbon environments, two genes \u2014 LCIA and LCIB \u2014 are expressed to capture more CO2 and direct it into the cells, promoting growth. However, when algae\u00a0live in an environment with enough CO2 to promote growth, the two genes shut down. The researchers found that expressing them, even in carbon-rich environments, significantly increases growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cBased on some prior research we had done, we expected to see an increase, probably in the 10 to 20 percent range\u201d researcher Martin Spalding\u00a0said in a statement. \u201cBut we were surprised to see this big of an increase.\u201d<\/p>\n

Expressing them individually yielded a 10 to 15 percent increase in biomass. Expressing them together boosted it 50 to 80 percent. \u00a0The excess biomass naturally becomes starch, increasing the biomass around 80 percent. Using existing mutated genes, Spalding can direct the algae to make oil instead. That requires more energy, increasing biomass just 50 percent.<\/p>\n

Researchers in many fields are attracted to algae as a source of\u00a0bio-fuel\u00a0because it grows quickly and thrives in many different\u00a0environments, from seawater to sewage. \u00a0This sort of research is especially important when one takes into account the Energy Independence and Security Act requirement that\u00a0bio-fuels\u00a0replace more than 10 percent of our current petroleum consumption by 2022.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no doubt in my mind that this brings us closer [to affordable, domestic biofuel],\u201d Spalding said.<\/p>\n

Spalding is a professor in the Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology and associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Scientists have discovered how to make algae produce between 50 and 80 percent more biomass…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2070,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[12],"class_list":["post-2069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-auto-news","tag-featured","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"yoast_head":"\nScientists Boost Algae Biomass, Bring on Bio-Fuel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Algae Bio-Fuel Eco Boost Biomass Genetics Research Iowa Energy Independence Security Act Scottsdale Phoenix Arizona Valley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/autos\/scientists-boost-algae-biomass-bring-on-bio-fuel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Scientists Boost Algae Biomass, Bring on Bio-Fuel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Algae Bio-Fuel Eco Boost Biomass Genetics Research Iowa Energy Independence Security Act Scottsdale Phoenix Arizona Valley\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/autos\/scientists-boost-algae-biomass-bring-on-bio-fuel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Arizona Auto News - 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