Saccharomyces cerevisiae is essential to the industrial production of bioethanol, a sustainable substitute for fossil fuels. However, metabolic pathways like the GPD2 gene, which regulates the synthesis of glycerol as a competitive pathway for carbon flow, and the ADH2 gene, which promotes ethanol oxidation in aerobic conditions, limit the amount of ethanol that may be produced. Improving the efficiency of ethanol production requires addressing these metabolic drawbacks. Even while genetic alterations such as ADH2 knockouts have shown favorable results, simultaneous GPD2 knockouts have still not been extensively researched for maximizing the production of ethanol from economical feedstocks like maize starch.
The goal of this study is to enhance the production of bioethanol by using homologous recombination to knock out the ADH2 and GPD2 genes in S. cerevisiae. Nourseothricin (NAT) will be used as a selection marker for the ADH2 knockout, and hygromycin will be used for the GPD2 knockout. To evaluate the effects of both genetic deletions on ethanol yield, the study compares the ethanol yields of wild-type and mutant yeast strains grown on glucose produced from maize.
PCR was used to create templates for knocking out the ADH2 and GPD2 genes. Transformation methods based on lithium acetate will be used to convert these templates into S. cerevisiae. Using colony PCR, nourseothricin (NAT) and hygromycin resistance will verify the successful knockouts of ADH2 and GPD2, respectively. As a substrate, glucose produced from maize will be used to ferment both mutant and wild-type strains. Using a spectrophotometer-based NADH-linked assay, which tracks the conversion of NAD+ to NADH during ethanol oxidation by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the amount of ethanol produced will be measured. To verify the samples’ ethanol concentrations, standard curves will be generated.
It is anticipated that the dual knockout approach will significantly raise ethanol yield by removing ethanol oxidation and decreasing carbon flux towards undesirable pathways like glycerol synthesis. Results agree with earlier research that demonstrated ADH2 knockouts could increase yield by up to 74.7%, more gains are anticipated when GPD2 deletion is included. This research is intended to promote the use of renewable feedstocks, like corn starch, in industrial biofuel applications and provide important insights for optimising yeast strains for efficient bioethanol production.
Applied Research Day
Tetra Society of North America put Algonquin College in contact with a client who has a chronic foot condition which can be mitigated by not putting weight on their feet. The Tetra Society instructed our team to design a device which could aid the client in day-to-day activities and could be patterned to allow the Tetra Society to produce the device for clients with similar needs.
The mobility aid was designed from the outset to use a minimum of student designed parts to reduce complexity and cost. Bicycle parts and other mobility devices comprise the bulk of the mobility aid.
Our project team intends to deliver a prototype to the original client for feedback, which will influence the future development of the device.
We have designed and built a pollen capture system for our clients at Aerobiology Research Laboratories.
It remotely captures and images pollen which will then be used to train an AI algorithim.
This project involves developing a specialized flight controller for THIUS Canada, to pilot their high performance multi-modal drones. These drones have multiple configurations and can change between these configurations easily without needing to be grounded. This includes changing the amount of rotors used or turning the drone from aerial flight to ground movement.
The Web Boosters team worked closely with SkyMap Aviation to revamp their brand identity and website, ensuring a modern and cohesive visual presence. We designed a new logo, branding elements, and marketing assets that reflect the company’s mission of guiding aspiring pilots. Additionally, we redesigned their website to improve navigation, accessibility, and user experience, making it easier for students to explore flight training programs. This project not only enhanced SkyMap Aviation’s digital presence but also strengthened their ability to engage with prospective pilots effectively.
Yellow Sapphire is a cutting-edge job board platform designed to help recent university and college graduates find employment quickly and efficiently. Unlike traditional job search platforms that require extensive browsing, Yellow Sapphire prioritizes speed, simplicity, and effectiveness, ensuring that users spend minimal time searching and more time applying.
Purpose:
The platform is built for young professionals who want a hassle-free way to connect with job opportunities that match their skills and interests. By leveraging a streamlined, user-friendly interface, Yellow Sapphire removes the complexity of job hunting, making it easy to discover relevant roles in seconds.
Key Features:
Instant Job Matching:
Users receive tailored job recommendations based on their education, skills, and interests.
Advanced algorithms filter out irrelevant listings, ensuring only the best opportunities are shown.
Minimal Screen Time, Maximum Efficiency:
Unlike traditional job boards that require hours of scrolling, Yellow Sapphire curates jobs instantly, allowing users to apply in just a few clicks.
One-Click Applications:
Users can easily access job listings with direct application links.
No lengthy sign-up process, just find a job and apply instantly through the employer’s preferred application method.
Simplified User Experience:
Clean, intuitive interface with no distractions.
No unnecessary ads, complex filters, or overwhelming options—just relevant job listings.
Cross-Platform Accessibility:
Available on desktop and mobile for seamless job searching anytime, anywhere.
Why Yellow Sapphire?
Time-Saving: Designed to reduce job search fatigue and streamline applications.
User-Centric: Built specifically for recent grads who need fast results.
Smart Technology: Uses high-tech architecture to give precise and recent job post. So, don’t forget to apply and get a job asap.
No Clutter: A focused, ad-free experience to maximize efficiency.
Yellow Sapphire is redefining job searching for young professionals by eliminating unnecessary steps and providing a direct path to employment. Whether you’re looking for internships, entry-level positions, or career-launching opportunities.
Technology & Development
Design Team:
Uses Figma and Canvas for UI/UX prototyping and collaborative design.
Focuses on clean, minimalist interfaces to enhance user experience.
Development Team:
Frontend & Backend: Built with Next.js, ensuring fast performance, server-side rendering, and scalability.
Styling: Implemented with Tailwind CSS and CSS for a sleek and responsive design.
Database & Data Handling: Utilizes Firebase and Firestore for real-time data management.
Job Listings Management: Integrates Google Sheets as a lightweight and dynamic data source.
Simplified User Experience:
Clean, intuitive interface with no distractions.
No unnecessary ads, complex filters, or overwhelming options—just relevant job listings.
Cross-Platform Accessibility:
Available on desktop and mobile for seamless job searching anytime, anywhere.
Why Yellow Sapphire?
Time-Saving: Designed to reduce job search fatigue and streamline applications.
User-Centric: Built specifically for recent grads who need fast results.
Smart Technology: Uses high-tech architecture to give precise and recent job post. So, don’t forget to apply and get a job asap.
No Clutter: A focused, ad-free experience to maximize efficiency.
Yellow Sapphire is redefining job searching for young professionals by eliminating unnecessary steps and providing a direct path to employment. Whether you’re looking for internships, entry-level positions, or career-launching opportunities
Technology & Development
Design Team:
Uses Figma and Canvas for UI/UX prototyping and collaborative design.
Focuses on clean, minimalist interfaces to enhance user experience.
Development Team:
Frontend & Backend: Built with Next.js, ensuring fast performance, server-side rendering, and scalability.
Styling: Implemented with Tailwind CSS and CSS for a sleek and responsive design.
Database & Data Handling: Utilizes Firebase and Firestore for real-time data management.
Job Listings Management: Integrates Google Sheets as a lightweight and dynamic data source.
Challenges and Success:
Throughout this project, the team gained valuable experience in UI/UX design, full-stack development, and database management. One major challenge was ensuring real-time updates for job postings without causing performance issues. To overcome this, we optimized Firebase queries and structured data efficiently to minimize load times.
At the beginning of the project, we also faced challenges in team communication, as it was difficult to keep everyone aligned and updated. To resolve this, we established structured communication channels, set clear roles and responsibilities, and held frequent check-ins to ensure everyone was on the same page. This improved teamwork, efficiency, and overall project success.
This project reinforced the importance of communication, problem-solving, and adaptability in software development. By working through technical difficulties and refining our approach, we successfully created a functional, user-friendly job board that meets the needs of recent graduates.
he Rubik’s Cube Solver App is an interactive Android application that assists users in solving a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube. By manually inputting colors for each side, users receive step-by-step solutions to solve the puzzle efficiently. The app functions offline and is optimized for different screen sizes.
Light Heart Visioning aims to develop promotional materials to enhance its online presence and increase engagement. The project includes the creation of a video, with resources that align with the business’s mission of empowering individuals through creative expression and holistic wellness.
The purpose of this project is to create an impactful promotional video that effectively communicates Light Heart Visioning’s message, encourages participation, and promotes its offerings. The video will serve as a key marketing tool for increasing awareness and engagement across digital channels.
This project aims to remove human labour to increase precision and consistency within retail environments. We also aim to allow customers to shop using a Bluetooth connection to retrieve their desired products with the click of a button.
This project is joint work between Algonquin College Applied Research and TELUS.
We are grateful for funding support from NSERC and Mitacs & dissemination through IEEE.