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Instructions

Student presentations must have a faculty sponsor.

Abstracts must include a title and a description of the research, scholarship, or creative work. The description should be 150-225 words in length and constructed in a format or style appropriate for the presenter’s discipline.

The following points should be addressed within the selected format or style for the abstract:

  • A clear statement of the problem or question you pursued, or the scholarly goal or creative theme achieved in your work.
  • A brief comment about the significance or uniqueness of the work.
  • A clear description of the methods used to achieve the purpose or goals for the work.
  • A statement of the conclusions, results, outcomes, or recommendations, or if the work is still in progress, the results you expect to report at the event.

Presenter photographs should be head and shoulder shots comparable to passport photos.

Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

  • Jun Wang
  • Kim Instenes
  • John Kirk
  • Nora Nickels
  • Andrew Pustina
  • James Ripley

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

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