Characterization of the Polysaccharide Associated Protein (PSAP) from Botryococcus braunii into Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Name:
Laura Krings
Major: Chemistry, Biology
Hometown: Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors: Timothy Devarenne
Type of research: Independent research
Funding: NSF REU program at Texas A&M
Abstract
With growing concerns about the rise in global temperatures due to the use of petroleum-derived fuels and their limited supply, there has been much interest in finding a sustainable resource for renewable energy. One avenue being explored is using microalgae for the production of biofuels. In particular, the colony-forming, green microalgae Botryococcus braunii has received much attention due to its ability to accumulate large amounts of liquid hydrocarbon oils (up to 86% dry weight). Research has focused on race B of B. braunii which produces the isoprenoid-derived hydrocarbon botryococcene. Currently, the use of B. braunii for biofuel production is not feasible for this alga grows significantly slower than other algal species. Research has looked at manipulating other algal species that are faster growing to produce the enzymes that make botryococcenes. In this study, a novel protein from race B is investigated. This protein is located on the outside wall of the algal colony and is hypothesized to function in polysaccharide biosynthesis, hence the name Polysaccharide Associated Protein (PSAP). To determine the function of PSAP, the DNA sequence encoding PSAP was cloned into the pHsp70A donor vector. A Cre recombinase reaction was carried out to combine the pHsp70A donor vector with the Lks-aph7 acceptor vector; the resulting fusion construct was later transformed into Chlamydomonas.
Poster file