Plant biologists and biochemists from University of California, Berkeley have produced a gold mine of data by sequencing the genome of a type of green algae. The tiny, single-celled organism can be a source of sustainable biofuel. The alga is also an abundant, natural source of the food supplement astaxanthin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that may be useful for treating cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and obesity.
NIFA originally published this impact in the NIFA 2017 Annual Report. Want to read about more impacts like this? Check out Fresh from the Field, a weekly bulletin showcasing transformative impacts made by grantees funded by NIFA.
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