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SUMMARY:Algal biodiesel – challenging cell walls - Irmi Horst\, Alison S
 mith’s group
DTSTART:20110325T130000Z
DTEND:20110325T133000Z
UID:TALK26678@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:15560
DESCRIPTION:Much current research is focussed on algal-based biodiesel due
  to the need to replace fossil fuels in the long term. However\, in order 
 to make biodiesel production from microalgae a commercial reality\, severa
 l technical and economical hurdles have to be overcome. So far\, researche
 rs are optimising algal biomass production and the triacylglycerol (TAG) c
 ontent of algae\, which is the major feedstock for biodiesel production. T
 AG content of algae is increased either by varying algal growth conditions
  or by genetically engineering their metabolic pathways. However\, if the 
 cells do not secrete the TAGs into the surrounding medium\, algal cell wal
 ls are the final barrier that has to be overcome for extracting TAGs. Solv
 ent extraction is commonly used for recovering TAGs from algal cells which
  adds considerably to the costs and environmental burden of biofuel produc
 tion.\n\nThe goal of my research is optimising algal biomass and TAG produ
 ction as well as investigating alternative options for recovering biofuel 
 molecules from algae. In order to decide on an extraction method\, I have 
 used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the localisation 
 of lipid bodies in the cell. Furthermore\, I have developed a high-through
 put assay that can be used to determine whether the cell wall of a given s
 pecies is attacked by enzymatic treatment. Using this assay\, we have foun
 d several candidate enzymes that attack the cell walls of different algae.
  
LOCATION:Department of Plant Sciences\, Large Lecture Theatre
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