Dr. Richard Sayre Discusses Projects at Hive Meeting

Dr. Richard Sayre leads a tour of Hive meeting attendees Thursday of the New Mexico Consortium’s Biological Laboratory and Greenhouse. Photo by Lisa Christensen

Dr. Richard Sayre. Photo by Lisa Christensen

Staff Report

The Hive held its regular brown-bag networking lunch meeting Thursday at the New Mexico Consortium’s Biological Laboratory and Greenhouse (BioLab) at 100 Entrada Dr., Room 168.

Dr. Richard Sayre of the NMC and Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Bioscience Division, briefed the group on the latest projects underway at the BioLab. Sayre is one of the nation’s top specialists in energy-producing plant and algae research and his group is internationally known for improving algae as a feedstock for biofuels. His algae implant biology program includes using algae to control mosquito populations that carry malaria and for vaccine delivery in agricultural applications.

During Thursday’s meeting, Sayre spoke about the research his team is conducting into the quantum yields of photosynthesis, energetics of energy conversion and biomass accumulation in algae. He also told the group about a project underway to increase the harvestable energy yield of Camelina oil and improve the composition of the oil to provide a more stable and energy dense biofuel feedstock. The program seeks to achieve this through a combination of improved cultivars, enhanced yield, and increased oil production. The overall goal of the project is to develop Camelina as a high energy yielding source of biofuel.

He also mentioned that high school and adult volunteers are working on research at his facility under mentors and said anyone interested in volunteering should visit here for more information.

Kevin Holsapple of High Mesa Institutes, a Los Alamos non-profit economic development corporation, lead a discussion at Thursday’s meeting regarding what the group thinks about the future of a “virtual Hive” and a reconstituted Los Alamos Entrepreneur’s Network. He gathered the group’s input and ideas. 

Hive Steward Dave Jones spoke about the Hive and updated attendees on the latest happenings. The Hive has closed its operation at 134 N.M. 4, but continues to hold brown bag networking meetings and other events.

Direct questions about the Hive to Dave Jones at 505.660.6992 or ferljones@yahoo.com.

About the New Mexico Consortium (NMC):

The NMC is an innovative effort to engage universities and industry in scientific research in the nation’s interest and to increase the role of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in science, education and economic development. This non-profit corporation formed by the three New Mexico universities focuses on facilitating collaborations at the Laboratory interface.

The NMC leverages capabilities at LANL, universities and industry and provides agile and accountable operations to execute joint initiatives. The NMC develops and manages self-sustaining research facilities to support these joint initiatives. Through the NMC, the universities and LANL have developed more effective models to advance the nations interests and increase the impact of scientific research on the local and national economy.

Dr. Richard Sayre discusses plants used in research projects underway at the BioLab. Photo by Lisa Christensen

Hive Steward Dave Jones speaks about the Hive during Thursday’s during Thursday’s Brown Bag lunch meeting at the BioLab. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Kevin Holsapple of High Mesa Institutes leads a group discussion Thursday at the BioLab. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Dr. Richard Sayre briefs the group on the latest activities at the BioLab. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

 

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