News & Events
University news |
Algal science and industrial news |
July 2013Algal Biotechnology Sheffield network conference10.00-1700, 11th July, Ideas Space, Sir Robert Hadfield building. The first Algal Biotechnology Sheffield conference will provide an opportunity to meet other algae researchers at the University of Sheffield, share your research and encourage collaboration. The day will include various talks from internal and external speakers, an external keynote speaker and a poster session with a prize. Lunch and Tea/Coffee will be provided.
May 2013
Department of Animal and Plant Science Seminar"Exploiting algal metabolism for bioenergy" Alison Smith, University of Cambridge
April 2013
Soft Matter Physics Group Seminars"The active dispersion of swimming bacteria and algae" Dr Otti Crozi, University of Cambridge Many microorganisms swim in directions biased by environmental cues. A well-studied example is the directed motion of the bacterium E.coli up (down) nutrient (poison) gradients (chemotaxis). Swimming algae have also evolved 'taxes'. For example, bottom-heavy algae are biased by a gravitational torque to swim upwards (gravitaxis). In flows, a viscous torque also acts on a swimmer, biasing it to swim to low shear regions (gyrotaxis). Such biases lead to surprising collective behaviour: gyrotactic swimmer suspensions are hydrodynamically unstable, breaking up into stunning patterns. Populations of chemotactic bacteria also make beautiful patterns: in soft nurtient gels they migrate as concentric rings. Many biotechnological applications involve suspensions of microorganisms in porous substrates (e.g. soil) or flowed within conduits (e.g. photobioreactors). The efficiency of these technologies depends on our ability to predict suspension behaviour. The biased swimming of many useful organisms is not considered in engineering models. Inspired by this, I have investigated the dispersion of chemotactic bacteria in porous gels and that of gyrotactic algae in pipe/channel by modelling and experiment. I will show how active dispersion of swimmers can be very different from that of passive particles (e.g. molecules or colloids). Finally, I will discuss the implications of my findings for air-lift bioreactor operation and algal-bacterial symbiosis.
European Algae Biomass 2013ACI’s 3rd annual European Algae Biomass Conference will once again bring together senior executives from industry and academia to discuss the latest commercial and technical developments, challenges and research breakthroughs throughout the entire algae value chain. The two day conference will bring together senior executives from industry and academia to discuss the latest commercial and technical developments, challenges and research breakthroughs throughout the entire algae value chain. The conference will have a heavy focus on case study examples of latest technologies in operation in the global algae industry and also includes a complimentary site visit to Ecoduna's hanging gardens photobioreactor facility in Bruck an der Leitna, just a short drive from Vienna, which is limited to 30 spaces and allocated on a first come first served basis. Key Topics A link to conference registration - http://www.wplgroup.com/aci/conferences/eu-eal3.asp As seen on http://www.allconferences.com/c/european-algae-biomass-2013-2013-april-24 |
July 2013
Stephen Mayfield gives TED presentationStephen Mayfield, director of the San Diego Centre for Algae Biotechnology gives a presentation at TEDxUCSD event about his Food and Fuels for the 21st Century research unit.
June 2013NERC-TSB Algal Bioenergy Special Interest Group (AB-SIG) publish "A UK Roadmap for Algal Technologies"This newly published report gives an overview of the current UK and global algal industry and research base and provides a highlights the actions needed to compete in the global market place. PDF copy available here (2.2MB)
May 2013
New study by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) assesses the potential for algae fuel production in the United States.Researchers from the PNNL carried out an in-depth analysis of the available land and water resources for algae biofuel production. The team found that the US has to potential to support up to 25 billion gallons of fuel.
Genome analysis of Galdieria sulphuraria reveals strong evidence of lateral gene transfer in eukaryotesA study by scientists at Oklahoma State University found surprisingly high percentages of bacteria DNA in the extremophile algae's genome, suggesting the algae is capable of lateral gene transfer as an evolutionary pathway
Solazyme reveal new technology and agreement with AkzoNobelSolazyme have announced a new technology for the cultivation of tailored triglyceride oils. The company also announced a deal to provide specialise oils to the paints and coating giant AkzoNobel
April 2013
Heliae announce new mixotrophic production systemAfter a long period of silence the algae biofuel company Heliae announced the deployment of a new mixotrophic production platform. Heliae plan to use the PBR system in their new 20 acre commercial site in Arizona. The system cultivates algae photoautotrophically during the day, and heterotrophically (using waste organics) during the night, reportedly dramatically decreasing production costs.
Algae Industry shine at ABLC 2013Heavyweights Solazyme and Sapphire Energy both present their views on the future of algae biotechnology at the Advance Biofuel Leadership conference The Algae biomass organisation revealed a new online map detailing the location of algae production projects and research.
December 2012
US National Research Council publish major algae biofuel sustainability studyPDF copy available here (9.4MB) |