Insertion of a Human Glucose Transporter into an Algae to Support Heterotrophic Growth
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Marley Delaney
Presenter(s): Marley Delaney
Mentors(s): Graham Peers
The goal of this project is to convert a photosynthetic algae into heterotrophic cells that can grow in the dark. This project involves designing a plasmid named the BTOO1 plasmid that contains GLUT1, a gene that encodes glucose transporters in human erythrocytes. BTOO1 is then transformed into the diatom P. Tricornutum, allowing for the organism to uptake glucose. This method has potential for mass cultivation and growth of P. Tricornutum, by allowing for larger cell densities, and will also facilitate the discovery of new genes required for photosynthesis.