Towards a better sunlight to biomass conversion efficiency in microalgae (SUNBIOPATH)
Description:
SUNBIOPATH - towards a better sunlight to biomass conversion efficiency in microalgae - is an integrated program of research aimed at improving biomass yields and valorisation of biomass for two Chlorophycean photosynthetic microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Dunaliella salina. Biomass yields will be improved at the level of primary processes that occur in the chloroplasts (photochemistry and sunlight capture by the light harvesting complexes) and in the cell (biochemical pathways and signalling mechanisms that influence ATP synthesis). Optimal growth of the engineered microalgae will be determined in photobioreactors, and biomass yields will be tested using a scale up approach in photobioreactors of different sizes (up to 250 L), some of which being designed and built during SUNBIOPATH. Biomethane production will be evaluated. Compared to other biofuels, biomethane is attractive because the yield of biomass to fuel conversion is higher. Valorisation of biomass will also be achieved through the production of biologicals. Significant progress has been made in the development of chloroplast genetic engineering in microalgae such as Chlamydomonas, however the commercial exploitation of this technology still requires additional research. SUNBIOPATH will address the problem of maximising transgenic expression in the chloroplast and will develop a robust system for chloroplast metabolic engineering by developing methodologies such as inducible expression and trans-operon expression. A techno economic analysis will be made to evaluate the feasibility of using these algae for the purposes proposed (biologicals production in the chloroplast and/or biomethane production) taking into account their role in CO2 mitigation.
Executive Institute:
University of Liege (ULG) Details of University of Liege
Contract period:
01. 01. 2010 - 31. 12. 2012
Project budget:
3,000,000 €
Participating Institutions:
- University of Bielefeld Details of University of Bielefeld
- University of Muenster (WWU) Details of WWU
- Institute of Process Engineering in Life Sciences, Section III Bioprocess Engineering Details of Institute of Process Engineering in Life Sciences, Section III Bioprocess Engineering
Funding Programme:
- EC - Collaborative projects (small or medium-scale focused research actions) Details of EC - Collaborative projects (small or medium-scale focused research actions)
Subject:
- Specialised crops
- Biotechnology
- Process engineering
- Renewable Resources
Purpose of research:
Basic research
Funding Institutions:
- European Commission (EC) Details of (EC)
Project Management Agency:
- European Commission (EC) Details of EC