Algae-UK: exploiting the algal treasure trove

Algae-UK：开发藻类宝库

• 批准号: BB/S009825/1
• 负责人: Saul Purton
• 金额: $ 121.98万
• 依托单位: University College London
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2019 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=BB%2FS009825%2F1
• 关键词: Algae; UK; exploiting; algal; treasure

'Algae' are photosynthetic organisms with the term encompasses both macroscopic forms (seaweeds) and microscopic forms (eukaryotic microalgae and cyanobacteria). The unifying features of algae is that they use sunlight to convert CO2 into biomass and they grow in an aquatic environment. There is huge biological diversity amongst the 100,000's species of algae with many suitable as sources of food, livestock and aquaculture feed, natural fibres and biofuels. In addition, compounds derived from algae have a wide range of potential applications such as novel drugs, health supplements, bio-polymers and natural pigments. Algae therefore represent an important component of a sustainable, bio-based future in which valuable products are generated from CO2 and basic nutrients by photosynthesis, but cultivation does not require arable land, unlike crop plants. Furthermore, advances in genetic engineering and synthetic biology offer the possibility of designer cyanobacteria or microalgae tailored to produce a range of novel high-value recombinants such as therapeutic proteins and speciality biomolecules.The UK has an excellent science base in the biology and biotechnology of cyanobacteria, microalgae and macroalgae. However, it remains small and relatively under-resourced compared to the millions of dollars being invested in applied algal research in the US, China, and in mainland Europe. Despite this, the current PHYCONET NIBB has built an enthusiastic community of academics, industry and other stakeholders and helped catalyse significant R&D and engagement in the area of 'high value products from microalgae'. The new network, Algae-UK, will build on this momentum by broadening the remit of the network to encompass macroalgae, and to give more focus to the emerging area of cyanobacterial synthetic biology. Furthermore, Algae-UK will extend its focus beyond high-value products: this is particularly relevant for macroalgae where the last few years has seen a dramatic increase in interest in seaweeds as health foods and dietary supplements, as well as animal feeds, fertilisers and sources of hydocolloid polymers used as natural thickeners and gums.The objectives of Algae-UK will be to support translational research into key areas that are likely to advance the algal biotechnology sector. Namely: i) genetic improvement and domestication of key algal species; ii) development of advanced platform strains through applications of synthetic biology; iii) exploitation of algal metabolic diversity; iv) advancing engineering solutions to efficient cultivation and downstream processing; v) understanding the opportunities and barriers to commercial success, including regulation, environmental constraints; public acceptance; market competition.Algal-UK will serve as the hub for the UK algal biosciences research community, businesses operating in the IB sector, and other stakeholders - creating the critical mass of expertise, effort and focus needed to achieve the step-change and make the UK a leading player in algal biotechnology. We will also forge links with other algal biotech networks and organizations in Europe, the US, China and other leading countries to further raise the profile of the UK community and share funding and training opportunities.

“藻类”是光合生物，该术语涵盖宏观形式（海藻）和微观形式（真核微藻和蓝藻）。藻类的共同特征是它们利用阳光将二氧化碳转化为生物质，并在水生环境中生长。十万种藻类具有巨大的生物多样性，其中许多藻类适合作为食物、牲畜和水产养殖饲料、天然纤维和生物燃料的来源。此外，源自藻类的化合物具有广泛的潜在应用，例如新药、保健品、生物聚合物和天然色素。因此，藻类代表了可持续、生物基未来的重要组成部分，其中有价值的产品是通过光合作用从二氧化碳和基本营养物质中产生的，但与农作物不同，藻类的种植不需要耕地。此外，基因工程和合成生物学的进步提供了设计蓝藻或微藻的可能性，以生产一系列新型高价值重组体，例如治疗性蛋白质和特种生物分子。英国在蓝藻生物学和生物技术方面拥有出色的科学基础、微藻和大型藻类。然而，与美国、中国和欧洲大陆在应用藻类研究上投入的数百万美元相比，它仍然规模较小且资源相对不足。尽管如此，当前的 PHYCONET NIBB 已经建立了一个由学术界、行业和其他利益相关者组成的热情社区，并帮助促进了“微藻高价值产品”领域的重大研发和参与。新网络 Algae-UK 将在此势头的基础上，扩大网络范围以涵盖大型藻类，并更加关注蓝藻合成生物学这一新兴领域。此外，Algae-UK 将把重点扩展到高价值产品之外：这与大型藻类尤其相关，过去几年人们对海藻作为保健食品和膳食补充剂以及动物饲料、肥料和食品的兴趣急剧增加。用作天然增稠剂和树胶的亲水胶体聚合物的来源。英国藻类协会的目标是支持可能推动藻类生物技术领域发展的关键领域的转化研究。即： i) 关键藻类的遗传改良和驯化； ii) 通过合成生物学的应用开发先进的平台菌株； iii) 藻类代谢多样性的开发； iv) 推进高效种植和下游加工的工程解决方案； v) 了解商业成功的机会和障碍，包括监管、环境限制；公众接受度； Algal-UK 将成为英国藻类生物科学研究界、IB 行业运营企业和其他利益相关者的中心 - 创造实现阶跃变革所需的关键专业知识、努力和重点。英国是藻类生物技术领域的领先者。我们还将与欧洲、美国、中国和其他主要国家的其他藻类生物技术网络和组织建立联系，以进一步提高英国社区的形象并分享资金和培训机会。

项目成果

ADA: an open-source software platform for plotting and analysis of data from laboratory photobioreactors

ADA：用于绘制和分析实验室光生物反应器数据的开源软件平台

• DOI: 10.1080/26388081.2021.2023632
• 发表时间: 2022
• 期刊: Applied Phycology
• 作者: Mapstone L