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What is the context of this research?

Today the world faces an increasing demand for liquid fuel products. However, our current method of satisfying this need is the use of fossil fuels from petroleum products. Not only are petroleum products a limited resource, when they are burned they release harmful byproducts into the atmosphere that play a role in global climate change.



Biofuels from cyanobacteria a carbon neutral alternative to using fossil fuels. However, they grow rather slow in cultures. Our research team may have a solution to this challenge. We hypothesize that the use plant hormones may be able to increase biomass productivity in a shorter amount of time.

What is the significance of this project?

If our project is successful, it may lead to a decrease in the cost and time it takes to grow full cyanobacterial cultures. If this is the case it may allow cyanobacteria based biofuels a more financially feasible alternative to conventional liquid fossil fuels.

What are the goals of the project?

This project has two immediate goals:

1) Observe the effect of Indole 3 Acetic Acid on Oscillatoria prolifera

2) Hopefully coax the cyanobacteria into increasing biomass production.