Cyanobacteria

​Potentially fatal to both animals and humans, blue-green algae blooms occur when overly-abundant cyanobacteria in the water produce harmful substances known as cyanotoxins. The sooner those toxins are detected, the better – which is where a new smartphone-connected device comes into the picture.

Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plants, but they can't pull it out of the air, hence the need for artificial fertilizer. But now, researchers have engineered bacteria that can efficiently suck nitrogen out of the air, and the long-term goal is to develop crops that can do the same.

Propane is an appealing fuel, easily stored and already used worldwide, but it’s extracted from the finite supply of fossil fuels—or is it? Researchers have engineered bacteria to create engine-ready propane out of fatty acids, and in the future, maybe even sunlight.

German researchers have created a bio-based solar cell capable of generating a continuous electrical current of several nanowatts per sq cm. The new approach, avoids damage to the tapped photosynthetic cells, an issue that has plagued previous attempts to harness nature's "power plant."

Scientists are developing an inexpensive portable blue-green algae detector.

Scientists discover addition of plant protein boosts hydrogen production by photocatalyst.

Australian researchers are working on a method of controlling blue-green algae using ultrasound.

A new biosensor paper infused with carbon nanotubes has been developed that can quickly and inexpensively detect a toxin produced by algae in drinking water.

Researchers have developed a process that removes a key obstacle to producing lower-cost, renewable biofuels by programming a photosynthetic microbe to self-destruct.