Written by: Noelle A. Koo (11th grade / Ashburn, VA USA)
Research Topic/Question: How can algae (diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that are not closely related - polyphyletic) be used in patients who struggle from lack of oxygen intake (such as strokes and asthma)?
Summary: It has been found by past research that algae living inside of tadpoles' bloodstreams can pump out oxygen for oxygen-starved cells nearby. Researchers injected green algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) or cyanobacteria (Synechocystis) into
the tadpoles, and observed that the algae species made oxygen in response to the light shining through the tadpoles' translucent bodies. Additionally, the algae was injected into tadpoles' severed heads, which were "dead", but as soon as the algae was exposed to algae-activating light, the nerves in the severed heads of the tadpoles started firing nerve signals. As researchers observed this queer phenomenon, they predicted that this finding could be modified into a future medical breakthrough for people who suffered from lack of oxygen intake.
Interest: I found the fact that algae could produce oxygen inside of an organism's bloodstreams and share this oxygen intake with cells fascinating. The use of green algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) or cyanobacteria (Synechocystis) in order to regulate oxygen pumping in the bloodstream can be deemed as quite logical, as algae creates high levels of oxygen (actually around 50-85% of the oxygen in the world is created by algae). This research could fundamentally further the medical progression on easier lives for people suffering from strokes and asthma.
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