(Press-News.org) SAN DIEGO, February 20, 2013 – As part of an ongoing effort to improve commercial scale algae biofuel production, a group of scientists, led by crude oil producer Sapphire Energy, Inc., today announced the completion of a collaborative study which identified the morphology, ultrastructure, and life history of A. protococcarum, one of the most difficult to manage algae parasites. Their findings are detailed in "Characterization of Amoeboaphelidium protococcarum: An Algal Parasite New to the Cryptomycota Isolated from an Outdoor Algal Pond Used for the Production of Biofuel," published today in the online scientific journal PLOS ONE. The article provides a comprehensive study of the parasite challenge facing crop protection for scaled algae cultivation in open-pond systems. These results will provide a broader understanding and promote the development of sustainable management strategies for biofuel production.
This article was prepared in collaboration by Robert C. McBride, Ph.D., Salvador Lopez, MSc, Craig Behnke, Ph.D., and Philip A. Lee, Ph.D., of Sapphire Energy; Peter M. Letcher, Ph.D., and Martha J. Powell, Ph.D., of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama; and Robert Schmieder, Ph.D., of the Department of Computer Science and Computational Science Research Center at San Diego State University.
"Identifying and overcoming crop protection challenges, from pest control to environmental factors, is critical to ensuring successful, scalable algae farming, and has long been a part of the research and development objective of Sapphire Energy," said Alex Aravanis, MD, Ph.D., chief science officer at Sapphire Energy. "This collaborative study demonstrates the power of synergy when academic and industrial scientists work together for a common goal, and lays the groundwork for the better understanding and creation of innovative strategies that will facilitate algae biofuel production at commercial scale."
###
The complete manuscript may be viewed at: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0056232.
About Sapphire Energy
San Diego-based Sapphire Energy is pioneering an entirely new industry – Green Crude production – with the potential to profoundly change America's energy and petrochemical landscape for the better. Sapphire's products and processes in this category differ significantly from other forms of biofuel because they are made solely from photosynthetic microorganisms (algae and cyanobacteria), using sunlight and CO2 as their feedstock; are not dependent on food crops or valuable farmland; do not use potable water; do not result in biodiesel or ethanol; enhance and replace petroleum-based products; are compatible with existing infrastructure; and are low carbon, renewable and scalable. Sapphire has an R&D facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and is currently operating the first Integrated Algal BioRefinery in Columbus, New Mexico. For more information, visit www.sapphireenergy.com or
Follow Sapphire Energy on Twitter:
@sapphireenergy
Like Sapphire Energy on Facebook: Facebook.com/SapphireEnergy
View Sapphire Energy videos at: YouTube.com/SapphireEnergyVideo
Subscribe to Sapphire Energy's RSS feed at: SapphireEnergy.com/NewsFeed.xml
MEDIA CONTACT:
Beth Llewelyn, 206-406-5027, beth@zebrapartners.net, or
Andrea Piotraszewski, 206-910-7606, andrea@zebrapartners.net
MEDIA ASSETS:
Supporting images available at: http://bit.ly/Xn7rgJ
END
A study by Queen's University Belfast has found that the dispensing of psychotropic drugs to older people in Northern Ireland increases on entry to care homes.
According to the study, due to be published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, antipsychotic drug dispensing in older people more than doubled from 8.2 per cent before entry to care homes to 18.6 per cent after entering care.
The study was carried out by researchers from Queen's Centre for Public Health in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences. It analysed prescribing data for ...
Distractions lead to greater risk of surgical errors in operating room
Article provided by Julien & Schlesinger, P.C.
Visit us at http://www.julienandschlesinger.com
We have all seen the scenarios played out in dramatic fashion on television and in movies -- a doctor performing a complicated surgery suddenly must respond to another emergency involving a different, equally high-risk patient. Although we may assume that these situations are created solely for the entertainment of the viewing public and bear little resemblance to a typical operating room, the premise ...
Target Zero teams focus on potential DUI suspects
Article provided by The Law Offices of Smith and White, PLLC
Visit us at http://www.duilawyertacomawa.com/
Washington drivers know drinking and driving is a serious issue. A DUI charge comes with devastating consequences, including substantial fines, license suspension and potential jail time.
Target Zero teams deployed during busy weekends
A majority of statewide traffic accidents occur because of impaired driving according to authorities in the state, which what prompted the creation of Target Zero. However, ...
What are your rights when dealing with the police?
Article provided by Orent Law Offices, PLC
Visit us at http://www.orentlaw.com/
Did you know:
whether or not you actually broke the law, law enforcement agents can arrest you if they have probable cause to believe you committed a crime?
that unless they arrest you in your home, they do not need an arrest warrant to take you into custody?
whether you are guilty or innocent, there are a few things you should do to avoid making things worse?
Protect your rightsandcooperate with law enforcement
-If you ...
Workplace discrimination is the issue in a Supreme Court case
Article provided by Clark & Krevsky LLC
Visit us at http://www.clark-krevskylaw.com
Workers who may be subjected to racial or sexual harassment on the job will want to pay attention to the Supreme Court's upcoming ruling on an employment discrimination case. The Court is expected to issue its decision early in 2013 in the case, which involves a banquet and catering worker at Ball State University.
Worker's discrimination claim was dismissed
The female African-American worker was employed by ...
The police are out for blood
Article provided by Law Offices of Charles L. Morgan, Jr.
Visit us at http://www.criminal-defender.com/
The U.S. Supreme Court is presently considering whether police officers must always obtain a search warrant before sticking a needle in a person to collect their blood in Driving Under the Influence cases. In Missouri v. McNeely, the High Court must balance constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures with the practical reality that alcohol dissipates in blood samples and quickly and completely disappears.
The ...
Snow tubing accident highlights dangers of winter sports
Article provided by Ivey Barnum & O'Mara, LLC
Visit us at http://www.ibopersonalinjurylawyers.com
Winter activities, such as snow tubing, can be a lot of fun for children and adults alike, but they can also be extremely dangerous when safety precautions are not taken.
One particular accident in early 2013 that illustrates the dangers of snow tubing occurred when five people at a Connecticut ski resort were seriously injured in a tubing accident. The accident victims, ranging in age from 19 to 35, were ...
Family Medical Leave Act: What you need to know
Article provided by Kennard Law P.C.
Visit us at http://www.kennardlawelpaso.com/
The Family Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, is a federal law that requires certain employers to provide certain employees with time off in particular situations. While some may be inclined to view the FMLA as a free pass for employees to take a leave whenever they wish and be guaranteed a job when they return, it should be noted that there are a number of fairly stringent requirements associated with the law, all of which must be met in order ...
NIH says traumatic brain injuries a "major public health problem"
Article provided by Binder & Associates
Visit us at http://www.binderassociates.com/
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), traumatic brain injuries are a major public health concern. Unlike many health problems, traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, most commonly impact young and otherwise healthy adults.
These injuries are gaining attention in the media, particularly those occurring within the National Football League. One example from the NFL is the story of Junior Seau, ...
Social Security Administration expands fast-track disability list
Article provided by The Law Office of Sheryl Gandel Mazur
Visit us at http://www.mazurdisabilitylaw.com
The Social Security Administration recently added 35 medical conditions to its list of Compassionate Allowances, bringing the total to 200. The Compassionate Allowances initiative provides fast-track processing of disability claims for people with certain serious medical conditions, often allowing applicants to receive an eligibility determination within days or weeks. Other applicants routinely ...
