Media Advisory: Life Sciences Featured in ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Magazine

AMES, Iowa -- Developing chemicals with biomass, DNA engineering and cleaning up Iowa's lakes are among the life science research featured in the latest issue of STORIES in Agriculture and Life Sciences from Iowa State University.

The alumni magazine showcases faculty, students and alumni from various agriculture and life sciences fields. All articles are available for publication.

Here is a brief look at some of the stories included in the magazine:
* Basil Nikolau searches for ways to produce greener chemicals using biomass rather than petroleum through his work in the Center for Biorenewable Chemicals.
* Jeffrey Essner studies tiny zebrafish embryos to improve human health by investigating genes involved in disease.
* New molecular techniques for engineering DNA are the focus of Thomas Peterson's research to instill favorable traits in plants.
* Efforts of ISU researchers and citizens of Clear Lake dramatically reduced both nutrient run-off and suspended sediment improving water clarity and lake function.
* The Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology is featured and includes its history, current research and faculty profiles.

View STORIES online or download a PDF. For high resolution photographs, a print copy of the magazine or more information about STORIES contact Melea Reicks Licht at (515) 294-8892 or mreicks@iastate.edu.