Team:ULV-LC-CV

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ABSTRACT









In vivo production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in Synechococcus elongates PCC 7942, with an insect methyltransferase (DmJHAMT)

Biodiesel is mainly composed of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and is a renewable energy source. Currently FAMEs are synthesized through transesterification of free fatty acids(FFAs) using a methyl donor, such as methanol, along with an alkaline catalyst to speed up the reaction. Both the extraction of FFAs and the chemicals used in this process are very costly. We aim to reduce the production cost of biodiesel by producing FAMEs in vivo using an insect methyltransferase called Drosophila melanogaster Juvenile hormone acid O-methyltransferase (DmJHAMT) within Synechococcus elongates PCC 7942, a high FFA yielding strain. DmJHAMT transfers the methyl groups from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to FFAs therefore synthesizing FAMEs.








AWARDS







University of La Verne iGEM 2015 Team took bronze in first showing at iGEM Competition
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