Our Crowdfunding Groups
Who We Are:
Hello, we are The Algenius Thinkers! We came together to compete in the AlgaePrize 2023-2025 competition (sponsored by the U.S Department of Energy) because of our shared interests in research for a sustainable future. Our goal is embedded in bio-engineering a diatom (algae), Phaeodactylum tricornutum, to increase lipid production, which can be repurposed into a sustainable fuel source, better known as "bio-fuels."
What We’re Fundraising For:
We are raising money for lab materials and travel expenses. Your generous donation would help us fund new cutting edge equipment to improve efficiency in our research and allow the team to travel to Boulder, Colorado's National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the AlgaePrize Conference.
The Plan:
Want to know about the specifics? We're happy to share! To reach achieve our goal of ultimately creating an algae-based biofuel, we plan on modifiying P. tricornutum to secrete elevated lipid levels. We first start with E. coli and design a plasmid (DNA that exists separate from bacteria's main DNA) to overexpress two target genes: DGAT2B and C14TE. With our plasmid complete, we'll extract it from the E. coli and put it into our algae, P. tricornutum. This is done using electric pulses to create an opening in the cellular membrane to insert our plasmid (aka electroporation)!
Your Impact:
By making a donation today, you are supporting undergraduate research and innovation that directly correlates to our education, all while supporting research on real world climate change solutions. Our hope is to simultaneously further ourselves intellectually and to provide real, helpful solutions for a more sustainable and equitable Earth!
Thank you! - The Algenius Thinkers
Supported by
Microalgae are a small but mighty group of algae. Though invisible to the naked eye, these algae are responsible for producing 40-70% of the world's oxygen supply!
Similar to microalgae, volvox algae are a genus of algae critical for supporting the world with their oxygen production! Sometimes called "globe" algae, these algae live in spherical colonies. ____________________________________ For your kind donation, you will receive one (1) random algae-themed sticker!
"Porphyra" is an arctic seaweed sometimes consumed as a snack! In Japan, it's better known as "nori." ____________________________________ For your considerate donation, you will receive one (1) algae-themed sticker of your choice OR two (2) random algae-themed stickers!
The biggest algae in the world! This giant is harvested for "algin," a carbohydrate found in ice cream, cereal, toothpaste, and cosmetics. ____________________________________ For your generous donation, you will receive three (3) algae-themed stickers of your choice!
As part of The Algenius Thinkers' project, we will be traveling to Boulder, CO to present our findings at the AlgaePrize Competition hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in April 2025. Your donation will help fund one of our team members' travel and lodging costs. ____________________________________ For your incredibly generous donation, you will receive eight (8) algae-themed stickers of your choice!
You are the ambassador of our team! Phaedactylum tricornutum is the model organism of our research project. Despite being considered as a "diatom," P. tricornutum lacks the typical silica cell wall associated with this classification of algae. P. tricornutum is also unique in that it can take on a variety of shapes depending on environmental conditions, and it is one of the only diatoms to have its genome sequenced. ____________________________________ For your supremely generous donation, you will receive ten (10) algae-themed stickers of your choice!
