Expanding the Frontiers of Biofuels: Algae's Rise as an Alternative Energy Source

Algae are more than just the gooey stuff at the bottom of your fish tank. Algae can be used as a sustainable alternative energy source. At this Midday Science Cafe, you’ll learn how studying the regulation of photosynthesis and metabolism of algae — the process and rate at which sunlight and carbon is used to produce energy — can help provide green strategies for biofuels and bioproducts. In addition, you’ll learn how scientists use genome sequencing to characterize algae and select for traits ideal for bioenergy and biotech applications.

Speakers:

Dr. Melissa Roth: Research Biologist, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology @University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Sara Calhoun: Postdoctoral Fellow, Joint Genome Institute @Berkeley Lab