Exploiting the Mating Phenotype of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to Enhance Harvesting in Large-Scale Oil Production from Algae

This STTR Phase I project proposes to develop and establish a novel clumping (flocculation) strain of algal using an engineered extracellar protein that can be induced. The overarching goal is to provide the industry with a novel, energy efficient, and cost effective tool to dewater microalgae. What are the broader/commercial impacts of the proposed project? The broader/commercial impact of the proposed project will be an algal strain that, under controlled conditions, will self associate and eliminate the need for costly harvesting technologies. In addition, the results of this project will contribute to genetic engineering technology application to algal biomass, reduce costs of algae harvesting, and provide the society with a cost-effective green energy source.