Project Info
Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling of Chromochloris zofingiensis For the Production of Astaxanthin
Nanette Boyle | nboyle@mines.edu
Chromochloris zofingiensis is a unique algal species because when it switches from photoautotrophic growth to heterotrophic growth , it greatly increases the production of triacylglyrcerols (TAGs) , biodiesel precursors, and astaxanthin, which can be used as a value added nutraceutical. This is an incredibly dynamic process because the cell remodels it metabolism and can shift easily back and forth between photoautotrophic and heterotrophic growth. To gain a better understanding of this process, we are building a metabolic model which will be used to evaluate genetic alternations leading to higher flux towards TAGs and astaxanthin.
More Information
http://www.pnas.org/content/114/21/E4296
Grand Engineering Challenge: Develop carbon sequestration methods
Student Preparation
Qualifications
The student should be a chemical engineer because construction of the metabolic model relies on the use of mass and energy balances. An intimate knowledge of biochemical pathways is a plus and the student must also be familiar with Matlab. This project also requires performing lab work to measure how biomass composition changes, so lab experience is also required.
Time Commitment
40 hours/month
Skills/Techniques Gained
The student will gain experience in programming and running computational simulations of metabolism as well as integrating experiential data into the model to train and validate the model.
Mentoring Plan
I will meet with the student and the graduate student on the project once a week to discuss progress. All students in the Boyle lab also have to give an oral presentation of their work every semester and submit a written report, so they will have practice preparing these reports as well as exposure to other students presenting their work.
For each student in my lab, I prepare a mentoring plan based on what they want to gain from the experience and how to get them there.