Bio Minds Research Day

In March 21, 2009 we celebrated the Bio Minds Research Day. I along with many other students have the opportunity of present and share the product of three Semesters full of hard work in the lab. The activity was carried out in the Bioprocess Development & Training Complex. In this day I had the privilege of learn and evaluate three amazing projects.

The fist poster that I visited had the title of: “Lysozyme Crystallization with Neutral Hydrogels Providing Conditions for Counter-Diffusion.” Basically the project consisted on modifying the Counter-Diffusion technique by the usage of hydrogels instead of other commonly used gels such as agarose. I find this work to be very relevant given that through the implementations of efficient protein crystallization techniques this may facilitate the structural of proteins study and therefore their respective function.

The second project that I evaluated had the title of: “Microalgae Derived C10-C14 Biofuels.” I was amazed with this particular project, because I never though that oils that are contained in microalgae may serve as starting products for Biofuels. What is even more amazing is how efficiency of the process, since it doesn’t require too many steps to obtain the biodiesel. The microalgaes are exposed to and ultrasound procedure and in approximately 15 minutes one can obtain 90% of the final product. I strongly consider that this project is of great importance to us because in a world which is in constant demand of energy it is convenient to find alternate ways of producing sources of renewable energy.

The final project which I evaluated had the title of: “Functional Genomics and Culture Independent Approaches to Search for Protease Activity in Forests Soils in Puerto Rico”. Through this project I became aware of the important role that protease have due to their numerous applications. They are used in detergents, leather industry, food industry, pharmaceutical industry and bioremediation process. Therefore, given that they are so versatile it is desirable to find new sources of this protein.

~ by jctec on April 28, 2009.