(2008-2009)
Howdy, my name is Matt Johnson and I am currently an undergrad research assistant in the Devarenne lab. I am a senior here at Texas A&M about to graduate with a BS in Biology.
My interests include running, learning about alternative fuel sources, and riding my bike around the TAMU campus. I have been a part of the Devarenne lab since January of 2009 and in my research I am working with a microalgae known as Botryococcus braunii. We are exploring candidate genes thought to produce a protein that aids in the methylations of the C30 isoprenoid into a C34 hydrocarbon chain. The pathway is of importance due to the potential of C34 hydrocarbon chains to be used to produce combustible biofuels such as gasoline or jet fuel.