University of Arkansas at Monticello Scientists Receive National Science Foundation Grant; Research May Impact Biofuels Industry
(My Monticello News) The study of microscopic algae may seem to have little practical application to those unfamiliar with the science, but a current project being conducted by two University of Arkansas at Monticello scientists could have a far-reaching impact on both the biofuels and nutritional supplements industry.
Dr. Karen Fawley, associate professor of biology, and Dr. Marvin Fawley, associate professor and assistant dean for science and research in UAM’s School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, recently received a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation totaling $152,273 to study Eustigmatophyceae, a little-known group of microalgae.
…According to Karen Fawley, current research has revealed that the Eustigmatophyceae are much more common and diverse than previously thought. “Our DNA sequence analyses for these strains have shown that the existing classification of these species is flawed,” said Fawley.
The Fawleys, in collaboration with their colleagues in the Czech Republic, will characterize new strains of the microalgae with the goals of creating a description of new groupings and species, and revising the higher level classification of Eustigmatophyceae. READ MORE
