What does synthetic biology have to do with Florida algal blooms?

Breaking news: this past week, Florida governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in several counties due to a toxic algal bloom. This is exactly the problem Purdue iGEM is working to solve! The so-called “miracle grow” of fertilizer, sewage, and manure pollution being added to water sources contains high concentrations of phosphorus, one of the nutrients contributing to algae growth. Check out more information with this CNN article.

 

Image courtesy of CNN.com, algae-covered water near Florida’s Lake Okeechobee lowering tourism revenue and local morale