Bioenergy Seminar
| Date/Time: | Thursday, 27 Mar 2014 from 3:40 pm to 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Location: | 1242 Howe Hall |
| Cost: | Free |
| URL: | http://iowaepscor.org/ |
| Contact: | |
| Phone: | 515-294-4459 |
| Channel: | Research |
| Categories: | Lectures Live Green |
| Actions: | Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder |
Abstract
Sapphire Energy, Inc. is developing an end-to-end process to produce renewable, algae-based fuel that is fungible with existing refinery streams. To accomplish this goal, integration of strain development, cultivation, harvest and extraction is necessary. An overview of the process will be provided with a focus on strain development. Trait discovery efforts have identified genes and strains with improved traits to accelerate development of superior biofuels strains. A fully integrated strain development approach has been employed to isolate clones with industrially improved traits. Validation of these phenotypes in the laboratory followed by testing in large-scale outdoor ponds will produce algae strains more amenable to commercial production of biofuels. We have targeted various biological traits of interest, including improved growth rate, lipid profile, and pest-/ pesticide-tolerance. Examples will be presented to demonstrate the progress in biofuels strain development.
Dr. Chris Yohn
Dr. Chris Yohn is currently Associate Director of Trait Discovery at Sapphire Energy, Inc. Since joining the company in 2008, he has identified genes and strains that will enable Sapphire to meet its research, pilot and commercial targets for Green Crude production. Chris also leads the company's bioinformatics efforts, using advanced genomics technologies to broaden Sapphire's ability to identify and improve algal strains for commercial production. Additionally, he directs Sapphire's collaboration with Monsanto, in which genes for yield and stress are discovered for use in both crop plants and algae, as well as the collaboration with the Institute for Systems Biology. Prior to Sapphire, Chris led the bioinformatics group at Favrille, Inc, where he managed and analyzed all data from a high-throughput sequencing facility in support of personalized cancer therapy manufacture. Chris earned a B.S. from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in Sapphire Energy founder Stephen Mayfield's lab at The Scripps Research Institute. Prior to his work in the San Diego biotech industry, he completed post-doctoral training in Drosophila molecular genetics at New York University Medical Center.