Patent ID: 8124347

Claim:
A method of producing algae capable of enhanced hydrogen production, said method comprising: making and testing one or more mutated algal hydrogenases for amount of hydrogen production; identifying one or more of said mutated algal hydrogenases as capable of causing enhanced hydrogen production in algae, wherein an amount of hydrogen production higher than that of a wild type hydrogenase is indicative of the ability to cause enhanced hydrogen production in algae; expressing in an algae a DNA sequence coding for at least one mutated algal hydrogenase identified as capable of increased hydrogen production; selecting an algae expressing said mutated algal hydrogenase identified as capable of increased hydrogen production, wherein said mutated algal hydrogenase has a positive to negative electrostatic potential energy surface area (EPSA) ratio in the range of 15 to 115, which is indicative that said algae is capable of enhanced hydrogen production.