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2012 - 11th Annual NC State Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium
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Session Time :
8/1/12 3:00 PM - 8/1/12 4:14 PM
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Content Area : NSF Integrative Molecular Plant Systems REU
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Lead Student Presenters : Patrick Noah Backman
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Abstract Title : Expression of Lipid Biosynthetic Pathway Genes of Dunaliella viridis
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Abstract :
With increasing global energy demands, alternative energy sources are needed to reduce foreign dependence on unsustainable petroleum fuel sources. Biofuel is a renewable fuel source for the high energy demands of transportation. Algae are a promising biofuel feedstock because their culturing does not compete with land for food crops and their biomass production rate is hundred-fold faster than land plants. Dunaliella viridis has great potential as a biofuel feedstock because it grows in salt or brackish water. Genetically engineering the lipid biosynthetic pathway in Dunaliella viridis to increase its lipid content would greatly increase potential biofuel production. However, the lipid biosynthetic pathway has not been characterized in Dunaliella viridis. Triacylglycerides accumulate in Dunaliella viridis in response to increased temperature. This study characterizes the expression of key genes in the lipid biosynthesis pathway in response to changes in temperature. Quantitative PCR was used to determine the changes in mRNA levels of the subunits of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, 3-ketoacyl-CoA-synthase, and acyl carrier protein thioesterase. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase converts acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA, 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase is involved in fatty acid elongation, and acyl carrier protein thioesterase is involved in fatty acid chain termination. Genes of interest were determined from transcriptome assemblies of Dunaliella subjected to continuous light and 25°C or 35°C temperature growth conditions.
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Mentor and/or Co-Author : Heike Ada Winter Sederoff
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