Teen's AI-Powered Biofuel Breakthrough

Millie Pradawong, a 14-year-old Virginia student, has made headlines for her innovative project using machine learning and CRISPR gene editing to improve biofuel production. Her tool, called MACRO (Machine Learning-Augmented CRISPR Reprogramming Optimisation), predicts how gene editing could change the way microalgae use energy.

Microalgae are tiny organisms that grow quickly, absorb carbon dioxide, and naturally produce oils that can be converted into fuel. However, increasing oil production often slows algae growth, making large-scale biofuel production more difficult. Millie's project aims to solve this challenge by finding ways to improve oil production without reducing the algae's ability to grow.

Millie was inspired by microalgae biofuel after learning about it in school. She realized that building a practical biofuel system was much more complicated than initially thought, and she wanted to focus on the hard part, increasing oil production without hurting growth. Her project combines machine learning with CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, which makes targeted changes to DNA.

Millie's tool predicts which genetic changes could produce better results, allowing researchers to identify promising approaches more efficiently before conducting laboratory experiments. She hopes to become a physician scientist in the future, combining medical practice with scientific research. Her project showcases her potential and dedication to finding innovative solutions to real-world problems.