Microalgae are one of the most promising groups of organisms for the sustainable, commercial production of bioproducts such as oils, pigments, proteins and carbohydrates as well as for pollution mitigation and CO2 abatement. In recent years, many companies worldwide have started microalgae production in scalable photobioreactors. Most of these initiatives focus on the design of cost-efficient photobioreactors, while scaling-up is almost solely based on empirical knowledge and a few widely used strains. However, there is growing evidence that the major breakthroughs in the commercial exploitation of microalgae will have to come from strain improvement resulting from a better understanding of micro-algal biology, in combination with optimized technologies for process control, extraction and bio-refinery of derivatives and conversion of waste biomass into energy.

This project aims to create and to validate new biological resources and technologies for microalgae cultivation in outdoor closed photobioreactors. The primary targets for the proof-of-concept of our technologies will be lipids derived from diatom microalgae. Although diatoms are considered as one of the most important groups of microalgae from a biotechnological perspective, their enormous diversity has hardly been commercially explored because of a lack of understanding of their cell and life cycles. This project builds on recently acquired understanding of diatom life histories and molecular biology by two of the consortium partners, complemented with leading Flemish and Dutch research groups in the fields of microalgal production, lipid analysis and bioenergy production.

Specifically, the project will deliver:

(a) a novel collection of robust strains producing high-value lipids for use in industrial settings, broadening commercial applicability,
(b) tools and strategies to optimize metabolite production in outdoor photobioreactors,
(c) a molecular toolbox and validation of breeding programs for the genetic improvement of strains; and
(d) cost-efficient technologies for downstream processing of algal biomass (biorefinery), including lipid extraction and separation and anaerobic digestion methods for bioenergy production.

In parallel, an economical analysis will identify the full future potential of diatom based products and technologies, in particular their pollution abatement potential, using an integrated economical life-cycle analysis; and guide the interaction with a diverse user committee through a market-driven project management.