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An integrated pest management approach to algal crop protection based on metagenomic characterization, antimicrobial peptides, and adaptive laboratory evolution


EMSL Project ID
61045

Abstract

This project uses a multi-pronged approach to improve pest management in open air algal cultivation, an important crop strategy for decarbonization. This includes identification of the most problematic pest species, developing and testing antimicrobial peptides that target these pests, using ALE to increase host tolerance to pest-restrictive growth conditions, and establishing a model host-pest system. The diatom Nitzschia inconspicua has emerged as a robust oil producer we’ll adapt to high temperature, high bicarbonate, high pH media conditions. Expected pests for isolation include bacterial species, fungi including chytrids, protists such as labyrinthulomycetes, and ciliates. We’ll use the isolated pest species to build model pest-host systems to test abiotic stressors, biomarkers of pond infection, and antimicrobial peptide treatments.

Project Details

Start Date
2023-12-15
End Date
N/A
Status
Active

Team

Principal Investigator

Erin Bredeweg
Institution
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

Team Members

William Chrisler
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Eric Hill
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Dehong Hu
Institution
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory