The energy sciences workforce faces a huge challenge in developing talents from academic institutions that have been historically underrepresented in the DOE research portfolio. CREATE: Cyanobacteria Research for Enhancing Alabama-based Training and Education is a comprehensive training and education program at Alabama State University (ASU), a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), to help address the vast challenge of recruiting the talents from academic institutions that have so far been underrepresented in the DOE research portfolio, and support underrepresented students and early career researchers. The project aims to overcome barriers to recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities with comprehensive training activities in microbiology and energy science. The training is integrated with research activities that focus on developing local resources and exploiting natural genetic variation. We hypothesize that there exists a diversity of native algae and cyanobacteria in the Alabama and Gulf Coast regions with unique traits that can be useful for the production of carbon-neutral fuels and biochemicals and for environmental services. We propose to identify native microalgae and cyanobacteria strains with robust inorganic carbon (Ci) uptake capability and seek potential biotech applications. The research activities will serve for training and mentoring of underrepresented students (undergraduates and graduates) and postdoctoral researchers by leading scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), and ASU. The research activities have three objectives: (1) Isolating microalgae and cyanobacteria strains in Alabama and the Gulf Coast region. This will involve the collection of microalgae and cyanobacteria strains in selected locations in Alabama and Gulf Coast regions, enrichment in liquid culture, isolation of strains using plates, screening by microscopy, and identification by 16S/18S rDNA PCR and DNA sequencing. (2) Measuring metabolites secreted in the medium by these strains under various culture conditions. We will employ membrane-inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) and a newly developed higher-throughput CO2 monitoring system to monitor the kinetics of Ci uptake and quantitatively measure the Ci fixation and carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) capabilities of the cells. We plan to investigate the energy regulation and management in algal strains by monitoring the metabolic end-products in the growth media as well as the whole cells by bioanalytical techniques. Understanding the dynamic energy flows in cyanobacteria and microalgae will guide new strategies to produce biofuels and chemicals by controlling the energy and carbon sink. (3) Teaching innovation by integrating research activities into the curricula at ASU. We plan to integrate research components into the classroom and teaching laboratories to extend the impact to more students at ASU. Students will take entry-level classes for credits at ASU to learn the literature, background, and methods related to the research project. They will conduct independent projects or case studies on focused themes in senior-level classes. ASU students will conduct research as interns at NREL and WUSTL in the summer months. Interns will return to ASU as advocates to interest other students in research projects at ASU. Each year, students will present in the CARE workshop, Annual Research Fronter Symposium, and other professional conferences. The completion of the project will have a significant impact on underrepresented students and prepare a competitive and qualified workforce in the exciting fields of energy, environmental science, and other related research careers. It will advance our fundamental knowledge of energy management in cyanobacteria and microalgae. It will also yield novel potential biotech applications. The proposal addresses the Biological and Environmental Research (BER) mission in understanding microbial biodiversity, energy flow and regulation in cyanobacteria, and potentially future biosystems design of useful strains.
