An integrated approach to the cost effective production of biodiesel from photosynthetic microbes

Development of Renewable Fuels is an important consideration in terms of replacing fossil fuels, such as mineral oils and coals, as well as reducing the level of CO2 emissions associated with them. In this project we will develop two micro-algae to fix atmospheric CO2 and convert it using sunlight into raw material for biodiesel production. The main obstacles which have to be overcome are to develop strains of algae which can grow at high temperature [as flue gasses are going to be used as the source of CO2] as well as efficiently converting the CO2 into carbon compounds which can be used as raw materials for Biodiesel production. The work is being undertaken with a major Biofuels manufacturer and the knowledge gained should advance us both scientifically and industrially.

Nannochloropsis and Synechocystis will be engineered to accumulate lipids in the form of triacylglycerols [TAGs] as feedstocks for biodiesel production. The end objective is to sequester CO2 from flue gasses , so reducing CO2 output, and converting this into storage lipids and reducing the demand for fossil based fuels. The projects will use both acclimation , random mutagenesis and targeted gene expression to achieve this goal. In Nannochorposis initial considerations will be on increasing the temperature at which the organism can be grown. EST sequencing will be performed to identify genes involved in TAG biosynthesis and altering their expression so that TAG biosynthesis is maximal during the exponential stage of growth. Manipulation of the fatty acid profile will be undertaken to increase the level of saturated fatty acids. In Synechocystis genes will be introduced to divert metabolism from MGDG and DGDG synthesis towards TAG as well as optimise the flow of metabolites towards fatty acid biosynthesis. The fatty acid profile will be manipulated to favor a profile best for biodiesel production. Considerations will be made on the best way to harvest and process both organisms for lipid extraction.

The following sectors of society will benefit from this research: PUBLIC with reduced CO2 emissions - which is in line with Government policies ACADEMIA - with advances in our understanding of metabolic pathways and how to engineer/control them INDUSTRY - obtaining micro-organisms which are engineered for industrial utilisation.