Algae holds key to biofuel

An algae gene has enabled plants to store lipids and vegetable oil in its leaves.

Unlike seeds, plants do not typically store nutritious oils. The new plants have been shown to increase weight gain and body mass in caterpillars compared to those fed with regular leaves.

Scientists are now hoping to use this gene to enhance oil production and retention in grass and algae, which could greatly influence biofuel production and eventually become a viable alternative to traditional crops.