Production of isoprenoid-based biofuel in algae using a synthetic biology approach

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Plant Sciences

Abstract

The World is faced with the considerable challenge of supplementing, and ultimately replacing, its fossil fuel-based economy with one based on clean energy technologies such as biofuels. Currently, commercially available biofuels (e.g. bioethanol and biodiesel) are derived from crop plants such as maize and soybean. However, there are major concerns regarding both the use of valuable agricultural land for production of biofuel crops, and the sustainability and energy balance of such technologies. A potential alternative source of biofuels is microalgae - aquatic photosynthetic organisms that do not require fertile land for cultivation; grow considerably faster than plants, and which can accumulate significant quantities of high-energy compounds such as oils. Furthermore, such aquatic cultivation could be coupled to waste streams such as CO2 output from industry and nutrient-rich effluent, thereby using this waste to promote algal growth. However, industrial-scale cultivation of microalgae for biofuels faces considerable challenges, not just in terms of technical feasibility, but also in terms of the economics and achieving a net positive energy balance. It is recognised that success will probably require the development of superior algal strains in which genetic engineering methods have been used to radically alter and tailor the cell metabolism's towards maximal biofuel productivity under industrial conditions. Currently, the molecular tools needed to create such strains are decided limited and algal metabolic engineering is still in its infancy. In this project, we will develop advanced tools for algae along the lines of the 'synthetic biology' technology now being used to design and create novel bacterial and yeast strains. A particularly, attractive feature of our approach is that we will exploit the ability to introduce new genes into two separate genetic compartments, the nucleus and the chloroplast, thereby allowing elaborate strategies for engineering that employ multiple new genes and create novel biosynthetic pathways within the chloroplast, but which can regulated from the nucleus. We will validate this new technology by creating a series of designer algae that produce two potentially useful fuel molecules - the short-chain hydrocarbon, isoprene and the alcohol, geraniol.

Technical Summary

The aim of this project is to establish tools for straightforward and predictable metabolic engineering in the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, as a means to generate strains producing novel biofuel molecules. We will use synthetic biology principles to design a series of PhycoBrick parts that will enable rapid assembly of different genetic elements (coding region, plus regulatory elements such as promoters, enhancers, riboswitches, 3'UTRs, and targeting and epitope tags). In particular we will take advantage of two inducible systems we have discovered in Chlamydomonas, the METE promoter, which is repressed by vitamin B12, and riboswitches in the THI4 gene, which undergoes alternative splicing in the presence of thiamine pyrophosphate. These elements will thus allow tight yet reversible regulation of nuclear transgenes with natural metabolites. A selected subset of these PhycoBrick parts will be assembled into devices and tested for activity using a reporter gene (codon-optimized luciferase, targeted to the chloroplast and with an HA-tag) to provide quantitative output, to establish predictive behaviour of the PhycoBrick parts. Using these data, we will design devices for inducible nuclear expression of higher plant genes for either isoprene synthase (IPS) or geraniol synthase (GES) in Chlamydomonas. This should cause diversion of isoprenoid intermediates to produce isoprene or geraniol respectively. These are small volatile hydrocarbons that have the potential to be used directly as fuel molecules. Further refinement of the isoprene/geraniol-producing strains will be achieved by introduction of trans-operons into the chloroplast genome for genes encoding enzymes for synthesis of IPP (the isoprenoid precursor) and/or down regulation of competing pathways using artificial microRNAs. We will also explore the potential of PhycoBricks for metabolic engineering in other algal species for which transformation procedures have been established.

Planned Impact

The topic of research in this application is relevant to a number of the major research challenges (so-called grand challenges) we face today: CO2 emissions and resulting climate change; dwindling reserves of fossil fuels, particularly those for liquid transport fuels, but also as feedstock for bulk and high-value chemical production; diminishing areas of arable land suitable for food crop production; and water management - both supplies of fresh water and waste-water treatment. Microalgae offer an enormous, as yet essentially untapped resource, which if exploited appropriately could lead to novel solutions to address ALL of the above. Many species have very fast rates of growth, and can accumulate high amounts of lipids, which can be used as fuel molecules. They can capture CO2 from flue-gas and scrub nutrients from effluent, and they do not require fertile land for cultivation. This has been recognized around the World by both governments and industry, leading to considerable investment in both research and development for algal biofuel production. Nevertheless, successful implentation of microalgal biotechnology will require much greater understanding of these organisms than we currently possess. In this application we will be developing tools that will enable much more rapid generation of constructs for metabolic engineering of the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The so-called PhycoBrick parts will establish a standard that can be used to permute the different DNA elements needed for this process into different devices. Using these tools, we will then explore the possibility of engineering Chlamydomonas to make two different fuel molecules, by introduction of one or more of these devices. We will make the Phycobrick parts openly available to the academic community. Both applicants have extensive connections with industry, from small start-up biotech companies, to large multinationals in the chemical and fuel sectors. We will engage with these industrial partners to explore the possibility of exploitation of the PhycoBricks parts, and also the strains that we generate. The likelihood is that scale-up and regulatory issues will require further R&D, but it is conceivable that commercial operations with these strains could occur within the next 5 years. Both applicants are very heavily involved in providing expert knowledge related to the use of algae for production of biofuels and other chemicals, and also to the impact of algae in the environment, such as waste water treatment and bioremediation on the one hand, and removal of algal contaminants on the other. We are frequently asked to give expert opinion by the media, and government agencies, and will continue to do so as part of this project. As well as commercial and academic sectors, the work we will do will have impact on our understanding of algal biology generally. There are over 300,000 different algal species, and marine species contribute up to half of all global CO2 fixation, so the study of these organisms has much wider implications than biotechnological exploitation. Our project will ensure that there are scientists with skills for studying algal biology, not just the PDRAs employed on the grant but also other members of our groups. We will carry out a number of public outreach activities, in which the PDRAs and students will also participate. The activities will build on our experience with mounting an exhibit at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition this year entitled 'Meet the Algae: Diversity, Biology and Energy'. As well as the stand, we are generating web-based information and resources to enable the general public to find out more about these beautiful organisms.
 
Description Algae are a promising platform for the production of high value compounds (vitamins, pigments, nutraceuticals) as well as lower value bulk chemicals or biofuels, and because they are photosynthetic, algal production may be more sustainable than traditional hosts such as bacteria or yeasts. However, to be able to exploit algae properly we need to have better methods to manipulate them, to increase levels of desired compounds as well as remove competing pathways. In this project we aimed to develop a range of robust and effective tools and methods to do this manipulation.

We took a Synthetic Biology approach - this applies engineering principles to the (re)design of biological systems, with a cycle of Design-Build-Test-Analyse. By using standard building blocks (DNA parts) that are put together in the same way each time it is possible to test which of the parts is best, and in which combination. By this means we identified and characterised a number of parts and were able to develop optimised combinations into what can then be considered 'devices'.

We also established a workflow for introduction of these devices into the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Although it is easy to put genes into Chlamydomonas (a process known as transformation), they are not always expressed properly, and even if they are, after a few generations the gene can be 'silenced'. By standardising the methods, screening a large number of transformants in highthroughput ways, and measuring the effects quantitatively, we were able to overcome some of these limitations.
Exploitation Route The parts we identified will be available to the algal community for use in other devices.

The standardised workflow can be adopted to avoid some of the difficulties of using Chlamydomonas to express transgenes.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

Chemicals

Energy

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology

 
Description Until recently synthetic biology has been applied mainly to bacteria, but our work has highlighted the potential to use it in establishing microalgae for industrial biotechnology platforms. The idea of using standard parts is increasingly gaining ground in industrial sector as well as academic labs.
First Year Of Impact 2015
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology
Impact Types Economic

 
Description BBSRC IBBE Strategy Panel
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Membership of a guideline committee
Impact The Strategic panel provided advice and guidance for the setting up of the Networks in Industrial Biotechnology & Bioenergy (NIBBs), which aim to foster increased awareness and interaction between academics and industrialists in the bioeconomy. It was also important for the thinking behind the IB Catalysts, joint with Innovate UK & EPSRC. Many of the grants and proof-of-concept awards are aimed at increased sustainability through the use of IB solutions
URL http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/filter/networks-in-industrial-biotechnology/
 
Description Agri-Inno: Stimulating Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Egypt's Agricultural Sector
Amount £28,520 (GBP)
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2017 
End 01/2017
 
Description Algal Biorefinery: routes for energy and nutrient recovery.
Amount £9,966 (GBP)
Organisation Natural Environment Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2015 
End 12/2015
 
Description BBSRC-DBT India
Amount £1,200,000 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/K020633/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2013 
End 10/2016
 
Description Bio-cosmetics from Lithops
Amount £5,000 (GBP)
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2015 
End 03/2016
 
Description Business Interaction Voucher
Amount £10,000 (GBP)
Funding ID PHYCBIV-23 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Department Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB)
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2018 
End 10/2018
 
Description FP7 Collaborative project SPLASH
Amount € 9,000,000 (EUR)
Funding ID 311956 
Organisation European Commission 
Department Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start 09/2012 
End 02/2017
 
Description Growth optimisation in next generation algal bioreactors for bioactive compounds
Amount £10,000 (GBP)
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2018 
End 09/2018
 
Description Implementing Algebra guidelines to risk assessments of scale-up of non-native species
Amount £9,500 (GBP)
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2017 
End 10/2017
 
Description Optimizing lipid production and in-situ extraction in biofilm immobilized microalgae
Amount SFr. 2,303,949 (CHF)
Funding ID CRSII5_198750 / 1 
Organisation Swiss National Science Foundation 
Sector Public
Country Switzerland
Start 09/2021 
End 09/2025
 
Description Regulation of polyphosphate metabolism in Chlamydomonas and potential for exploitation as phosphorus sink in nutrient recovery systems
Amount £65,772 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/N016033/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2016 
End 10/2019
 
Description Research Grade Algae - a supply bottleneck in algal research and development.
Amount £5,000 (GBP)
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2015 
End 04/2016
 
Description Rewriting The Genetic Code: The Algal Plastome As A Testbed For Basic And Applied Studies
Amount £3,146,402 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/W003538/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2022 
End 03/2027
 
Description Royal Society Research Grant
Amount £15,000 (GBP)
Organisation The Royal Society 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2016 
End 02/2017
 
Description Scoping a new collaborative and training networks in microbial and invertebrate biotechnology and 'omics' in Malaysia.
Amount £4,064 (GBP)
Organisation Natural Environment Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2017 
End 05/2017
 
Description Strategic LoLa
Amount £2,400,000 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/L002957/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2014 
End 12/2017
 
Description Synthetic Biology Centres
Amount £12,000,000 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/L014130/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2014 
End 05/2019
 
Title MoClo Toolkit for Chlamydomonas 
Description A kit of 119 standard DNA parts that can be used for Golden Gate (Modular Cloning, MoClo) cloning to prepare constructs for genetic modification of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. 
Type Of Material Biological samples 
Year Produced 2018 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact The kit is freely available to the community (for a small distribution fee) and should enable much more rapid preparation of clones and then easy comparison between results from different groups 
 
Description Microbial consortia for lipid production 
Organisation University of Bern
Country Switzerland 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are algal molecular biologists/biotechnologists and are contributing the biological expertise to set up biofilms in reactors developed by our Bern colleagues. In addition, a lab in Chemistry in Cambridge is studying the light delivery to the biofilms, and another lab at ETH Zurich is determining ways to extract the lipids from the algal cells using pulsed electric fields
Collaborator Contribution Our Bern colleagues are developing photobioreactors in which to grow biofilms of microalgae, together with other microbes. In addition, a lab in Chemistry in Cambridge is studying the light delivery to the biofilms, and another lab at ETH Zurich is determining ways to extract the lipids from the algal cells using pulsed electric fields
Impact None as yet
Start Year 2020
 
Description Promoting algae for industrial biotechnology 
Organisation Rothamsted Research
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution I have been very active in promoting the idea of using algae as industrial biotechnology (IB) hosts. This has led to a successful BBSRC sLoLa award, and also contributed to the debate about how to cement the rather fragmented algal expertise in the UK. Ultimately the introduction of the BBSRC networks in IB (NIBBs) were borne out of this debate, and these include Phyconet, which is specifically algal biotechnology. In addition several other NIBBs consider using algae as source of novel products, pathways, genes (NPRONet, HVCfP), or as platforms for community based metabolism (ADNET)
Collaborator Contribution Research and development collaborations with colleagues in the algal biotechnology field, but also in metabolic engineering and SMEs in algal biotechnology
Impact sLoLa Several BBSRC NIBBs, with Phyconet as specific one on algal biotechnology IB Catalyst award
Start Year 2009
 
Description Promoting algae for industrial biotechnology 
Organisation University College London
Department Division of Biosciences
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution I have been very active in promoting the idea of using algae as industrial biotechnology (IB) hosts. This has led to a successful BBSRC sLoLa award, and also contributed to the debate about how to cement the rather fragmented algal expertise in the UK. Ultimately the introduction of the BBSRC networks in IB (NIBBs) were borne out of this debate, and these include Phyconet, which is specifically algal biotechnology. In addition several other NIBBs consider using algae as source of novel products, pathways, genes (NPRONet, HVCfP), or as platforms for community based metabolism (ADNET)
Collaborator Contribution Research and development collaborations with colleagues in the algal biotechnology field, but also in metabolic engineering and SMEs in algal biotechnology
Impact sLoLa Several BBSRC NIBBs, with Phyconet as specific one on algal biotechnology IB Catalyst award
Start Year 2009
 
Description Promoting algae for industrial biotechnology 
Organisation University of Aberdeen
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution I have been very active in promoting the idea of using algae as industrial biotechnology (IB) hosts. This has led to a successful BBSRC sLoLa award, and also contributed to the debate about how to cement the rather fragmented algal expertise in the UK. Ultimately the introduction of the BBSRC networks in IB (NIBBs) were borne out of this debate, and these include Phyconet, which is specifically algal biotechnology. In addition several other NIBBs consider using algae as source of novel products, pathways, genes (NPRONet, HVCfP), or as platforms for community based metabolism (ADNET)
Collaborator Contribution Research and development collaborations with colleagues in the algal biotechnology field, but also in metabolic engineering and SMEs in algal biotechnology
Impact sLoLa Several BBSRC NIBBs, with Phyconet as specific one on algal biotechnology IB Catalyst award
Start Year 2009
 
Description AS gave a seminar to Festival of Genomics & Biodata 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact AS gave a seminar to Festival of Genomics & Biodata entitled 'Using Synthetic Biology to Develop Algal Production Platforms for High Value Compounds'.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/events/festival-of-genomics-2021/
 
Description AS gave a talk at SymBLS21 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact AS gave a talk entitled 'Synthetic Biology Approaches to Developing Microalgal Production Platforms' at SymBLS21, a student-led research conference for postgraduates in Life Sciences at the University of Cambridge.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description AS gave a talk to PhD students on AgriForwards CDT in Cambridge. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact AS gave a talk entitled 'Algae for Food - enhancing nutritional value and reducing waste' to students on the AgriForwards Centre for Doctoral Training in agritech at the University of Cambridge.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtO8RRcNaQA&list=PLITP3sTC3oh2wL-aPLEQy1ON68AOzW10E&index=5
 
Description Agritech East - outreach evening to algal innovation centre by those interested in and working in farming sector 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact This is the text from the Agritech East Report after the event:
Sainsbury Lab and Algal Innovation Centre - Cambridge University

At the end of January we hosted a Young Innovators' Forum (YIF) visit to the Sainsbury Lab and Algal Innovation Centre, Cambridge University. This was visit as part of YIF programme which aims to bring together early career entrants from across farming, science and technology at innovative agri-business and research facilities.

On the night we were joined by farmers, scientists, researchers and engineers who were all interested to find out about the work happening in the lab. The Sainsbury Lab is a world class research facility which opened in 2011. The group found out that the research which is carried out is exploring the regulatory systems which control growth and development in plants. We were able to get an insight into the labs as we walked through the building due to the open plan nature of the space. Unlike some research facilities, the Sainsbury Lab is unusual in having individuals from different research groups sat on the same benches, which encourages more conversation and collaboration across different research strands. We heard about the findings of some of the research and particularly enjoyed finding out about the most unusual discovery which was made totally by accident when a plant was found to produce minerals that were previously only believed to be found in asteroids!

We then moved onto the Algal Innovation Centre which sits within the Botanic Gardens. A purpose built facility, the AIC provides a secure environment to carry out research into the uses and behaviour of algae. Matt Davey, Senior Research Associate, talked us through some of the different work which has been carried out within the lab. This includes working with a local water company on growing algae on waste nitrate which can then be used to produce energy by putting it into an anaerobic digester. We learnt about other research linked to the health food sector due to the fact that Omega oils, which in the past have been extracted from fish, an actually be captured from the algae which produces it. Some of the work that Matt and his team have been carrying out is how to optimise growing conditions and nutrient supply, especially understanding how different algal strains survive in different climates. It was a surprise to learn that algal pigments can be found in everyday products such as Smarties and wine gums!

Finally, we were shown around the Plant Growth Facility. In this building there are lots of separate chambers in which all factors needed for plant growth can be controlled, such as humidity and light. This enables researchers to be able to drill down into the specific variables that might influence or affect a particular result. As we walked around the facility, we saw a range of plant species being tested on including wheat, potatoes and rice. These secure, air tight chambers also allow tests into plant pathogens to happen as they can be contained and assessed within a rigorous framework.

We were really lucky to be able to explore the Sainsbury Lab and Algal Innovation Centre. It was so interesting to hear about all the research that is going on which could impact the agricultural industry in the future.

As with all of our YIF events, attendees then had the opportunity to discuss the tours as well as talk about their experience and knowledge in the area. We chatted to some of the attendees to see what they got from attending the event, here is what they had to say:

Matt White, Engineer, Cambridge Consultants

The YIF visit was an excellent opportunity for industry members like ourselves to learn about the cutting-edge research being carried out in agricultural sectors. Having the opportunity to speak with leading researchers in algae growth and cultivation was fascinating and highly valuable for expanding our knowledge in this area! These events are great at increasing links between academia and industry to help us develop agricultural technology together more effectively.

Pamela Ribone, Researcher, Sainsbury Lab

The reason for attending the YIF visit was that I really wanted to try and apply what I have done so far with my research to a more applied science, and this was an incredible opportunity to know more about what is in between really basic science and the final application to a product. The Algal Innovation Centre looks like the kind of things I would like to go for the next step. From the visit I understood that they do laboratory research, but focusing on solving problems.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.agri-tech-e.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/civicrm/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=23903&qid=1491603
 
Description AlgaeEurope 2015 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Presentation of research into algal synthetic biology to the principle conference in Europe aimed at supporting and developing the algal biotechnology sector. About half the participants were from industry (including large multisector, SMEs and startups)and 10% or so policy makers and officials eg from EU. The aim was to inform this group about the potential of synthetic biology in developing algal industrial biotechnology, providing the impetus to consider algae as production platforms for high value products as well as simply for biomass production. As a result, a consortium has been formed of academic colleagues who will share best practice and resources in SynBio.

I also described our recently opened Algal Innovation Centre (AIC), where it is possible to carry out pilot-scale algal cultivation, including of GM algae. As a result of the talk several contacts have been made with companies who are interested in the AIC.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description AlgaeUK/IBioC workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact PM gave a presentation titled "Algae research at the Algal Innovation Centre - University of Cambridge" and was a facilitator for the discussion forum on "Biomass Opportunities and Market Needs". The discussion forum on "Biomass Opportunities and Market Needs" discussed key question for industry and academia concerning the gaps in biomass demand outstripping supply, need for regulation/government help in the sector, types of biomass being underutilised. The participants discussed these issues for 35 minutes. The event resulted in industry-academic partnerships that applied for the newly announced funding opportunities from IBiolC, AlgaeUK and BBNET
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Authentic Biology Symposium 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact The Authentic Biology programme, funded by the Wellcome Trust, enables post 16 students to carry out real research in their schools. They then get to present their work at the symposium in London. I was invited to speak to them about my work on algal bioenergy, and then to engage with them about studying science at university. Several of the students (the majority from state schools) were encouraged to make applications to Oxbridge as a result.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.authentic-biology.org/
 
Description BBC Radio 4 Frontiers - What ever happened to biofuels? 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was one of 4 invited participants in this programme, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and available as a podcast. I had many emails and contacts from the wider public, including at the Festival of Plants exhibit, generally indicating that this had increased people's awareness of the possibility to use solar energy with algae, not just for biofuels, but also for other 'green tech'. Their attitude to biofuels per se was also more positive.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b02ykygv
 
Description BBSRC funded Algal Biotechnology workshop for researchers and industry representatives from New Zealand and UK to discuss progress and opportunities in the exploitation of microalgae 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The workshop brought together algal researchers and industry representatives from New Zealand and UK to discuss progress and opportunities in the exploitation of microalgae, particularly as feedstock for aquaculture and as sustainable sources of novel bio-products. The UK delegation included six leading academics, together with representatives of four SMEs from the algal biotech sector: namely, Varicon Aqua, TeeGene Ltd, Greenskill Ltd and Algenuity. Approximate 20 NZ delegates joined the workshop and comprised algal researchers from the Cawthron Institute, several NZ universities, and biotech companies in the Nelson region. We were also honoured to be joined by Min Sung Park, a world authority on algal biotechnology and Distinguished Professor at the Centre for Microalgal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Institute of Hydrobiology, Wuhan, China
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.phyconet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/NZ-UK-workshop-report.pdf
 
Description Cambridge Zero workshop on carbon sequestration 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Open workshop showcasing different approaches to address carbon sequestration, including determining the likely success and level of sustainability of each approach.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description EIT-Food INSPIRE Summer school 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact PM co-organised EIT-Food INSPIRE Summer school on Sustainable aquaculture and presented a talk at the EIT-Food INSPIRE Summer school
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.eitfood.eu/education/courses/inspire-sustainable-aquaculture
 
Description EIT-Food professional course on Algae Biotechnology 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A 3-day workshop open to postgraduate, postdoctorate and industry researchers new to algae biotechnology. Opportunities for networking and training, leading to increase entrepreneurial activity in the sector
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.eitfood.eu/education/courses/algae-biotechnology
 
Description Festival of Algae meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Poster presentation by PMM. Audience interested in approaches developed and potential for exploitation
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.algae-uk.org.uk/events/a-festival-of-algae-2/
 
Description Festival of Plants, Botanical Garden, Cambridge 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Exhibit at the Festival of Plants (was called Fascination of Plants in 2012) in Cambridge University Botanic Garden. It provided basic information about algae, showcased our scientific work, and then explained how we were using this in collaboration with companies to carry out remeidation of waste water. There were activities such as viewing microalgae with microscopes and observing algae phototaxis. Children could handcraft their own algae using pipe cleaners or take part in an interactive algae quiz to win prices. Several members of the public asked for additional information.

Interest from several visitors about how to incorporate algal growth in their activities, eg anaerobic digestion or green energy generally
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2012,2013,2014,2015
URL http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Event.aspx?p=27&ix=351&pid=2718&prcid=0&ppid=2718
 
Description GM presented a poster at the Synthetic Biology UK 2021 conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact GM presented a scientific poster entitled "Engineering 5'UTRs to enhance gene expression in a green alga" on the 22-23 of November in Nottingham, UK.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.eventsforce.net/biochemsoc/frontend/reg/thome.csp?pageID=53019&ef_sel_menu=703&eventID=1...
 
Description High Value Products from Plants conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Presentation of algal synthetic biology approaches to help support algal industrial biotechnology. This was at a Network in Industrial Biotechnology & Bioenergy (NIBB) meeting organised by the High Value Compounds from Plants NIBB. Interest was sparked amongst researchers to consider using algae, as well as plants, and production platforms.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description IntoBiology resource 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact A final year undergraduate student in Plant Sciences produced a webpage describing work on algae in Plant Sciences and Biochemistry. The webpage is part of the programme established by IntoBiology, aimed at encouraging school children to consider studying plant biology.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://intobiology.org.uk/unlocking-the-potential-of-algae-how-the-green-stuff-in-your-pond-might-go...
 
Description KG Talk at AlgaeEurope 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the event was held online in 2020. Around 250 researchers, industry and business partner with interests in algae biotechnology joined the four-day event. We gave a talk presenting the research in the lab and attended a Q&A session afterwards. Discussions with ongoing partners (e.g. Algenuity) and new partners continued throughout the event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://algaeurope.org/participants-information/?utm_campaign=2911&utm_source=enormail&utm_medium=em...
 
Description KG conference talk 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact KG gave a presentation entitled "Synthetic biology approaches to developing microalgal production platforms." at the 6th German Association for Synthetic Biology conference. The conference took place at the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research Würzburg, Germany.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://gasb.de/events/gasb-conference/
 
Description KG gave talk at Molecular Life of Diatoms Satellite meeting, Norwich, UK 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The main Molecular Life of Diatoms conference was accompanied by a satellite meeting on Friday the 19th of July, which focused on important technical advances in diatoms genome editing including methods development, mutant collections, plasmid and data deposition. We presented data on the MoClo syntax and he Golden Gate cloning system that we and others are developing for algae.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://meetings.embo.org/event/19-diatoms
 
Description KG presented a poster at the Metabolic Engineering 14 Conference, 2021 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Discussions about research results. Updating community on developments on synbio parts. Plans made for future related research activities
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://whova.com/web/biolo_202107/
 
Description KG presented a talk at the 10th International CeBiTec Research Conference: Prospects and challenges for the development of algal biotechnology 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact KG gave a presentation entitled "Synthetic biology for the controlled production of high-value compounds in Phaeodactylum tricornutum." The conference took place att the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF), Bielefeld University, Germany. Due to COVID restrictions the number of participants was restricted.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.cebitec.uni-bielefeld.de/events/conferences/575-algal-biotech-202
 
Description Keynote presentation to AlgaEurope 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact AGS gave a keynote address to AlgaEurope 2022, the major conference for the algal biotech sector in Europe
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://algaeurope.org/
 
Description Oxford Uni BioSoc talk 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Talk at student-run science society entitled "Synthetic biology approaches to developing algal biotechnology platforms"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description PHYCONET (BBSRC NIBB) Meeting: "UK Microalgal biotechnology, creating a unified vision" Cambridge February 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact A workshop of academia, funders, policy makers and industry, aimed at identifying ways to augment and support the UK microalgal business. As a result of the meeting, we made links with several companies and have obtained two Business Interaction Vouchers
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://www.phyconet.org.uk/document_category/uk-microalgal-biotechnology-creating-a-unified-vision
 
Description PM presented a talk at the EIT-Food event "Through the keyhole" 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact PM, LA, EH gave joint talk about acitivities in the Algal Innovation Centre. The presentation was titled "Through the Keyhole Algal Innovation Centre"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.opencambridge.cam.ac.uk/events/through-laboratory-keyhole
 
Description Phyconet (BBSRC NIBB) Annual Meeting, Plenary speaker 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The talk was aimed at showing that the potential exploitation of algae for industrial purposes needs to be underpinned by fundamental biological understanding. Several industrial colleagues agreed, saying they recognise the need for better algal taxonomy and physiology to support their activities and ensure their IP can be protected.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.phyconet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/PAC17_programme.pdf
 
Description Pint of Science 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I presented a talk on the potential uses of algae for bioenergy production as part of the Pint of Science festival in Cambridge, where scientists engage with people having a drink in a local pub. This takes place in London, Cambridge, Bristol and other university towns each year. As result of my talk and questions afterwards, although most people were not aware initially what algae were, nor how they could be used to generate energy, their opinions became more positive and optimistic towards biofuels generally. Pint of Science was awarded "Points of Light" by the Prime Minister David Cameron in November 2015 and the founders were interviewed about it on London Live TV.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014,2015
URL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pint_of_Science
 
Description Presentations at AlgaEurope 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Several posters were presented highlighting our research and R&D activities to the major conference for the algal biotech sector in Europe
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://algaeurope.org/
 
Description Public outreach event at International Fasination of Plants Day, Cambridge University Botanic Garden 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This was a stand highlighting the work of our algal biotechnology research, and showcasing the exciting range of opportunities algae offer for our future. We specifically showcased our involvement with EIT Food (an EU initiative looking at producing food and ingredients in a more sustainable way) and other grants I am involved on concerning algal biotech. Algae are a promising renewable source of nutrients, and hold great potential in helping to address issues of food security given our growing global population. Can we use components from algae as the basis for innovative food products of the future? We also showcased our work with feeding algae to insect larvae - again, possible food for the future!
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/whats-on/cambridge-botanic-garden-holds-well-attended-festiva...
 
Description SRA Payam Mehrshahi and Dr Lorraine Archer presented via a video walk-through the Algal Innovation Centre for the EIT food workshop ALGAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020 - TECHNIQUES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SUSTAINABLE BIOECONOMY 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Due to Covid-19 restrictions the EIT Food Professional Development course was redesigned so that 3x 2day courses were combined and presented online once over a two-day course. As the lead organisation, the University of Cambridge team (Payam Mehrshahi, Matthew Davey, Lorraine Archer) produced daily programme of lecture/seminars that brought together leading international experts to introduce the theory of techniques, SOPs best practice and live demonstration of equipment and facilities. The course offered insights and examples from an industrial and entrepreneurial perspective, that helped the participants to start or improve their own algal-based business.
The video walk-through of the Algal Innovation Centre at the University of Cambridge was designed by Payam and Lorraine to reflect the wide range of research involving algae that is carried out in the university and in this facility. The 30 minute video was followed by a 45 minute Q&A session during which participants asked about technical aspects of equipment, consumables, algae strains, culturing conditions and trouble shooting advice.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.eitfood.eu/media/documents/ALGAL_BIOTECH_DRAFT_TRAINING_COURSE_2020_FINAL_v10.pdf
 
Description SRA Payam Mehrshahi presented a poster at the International Conference on Plant Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering and Biotechnology 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact The conference was organised by the Society of Biological Engineering and brought together scientists and engineers from universities, industry and government working in all aspects of plant synthetic biology, plant bioengineering and plant biotechnology.
Payam presented research from the lab that concern the use of synthetic biology to develop tools for regulation of gene expression in microalgae. This poster was well received by those in attendance with multiple questions raised to discuss the technical aspects of the molecular tools generated by our research group.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.aiche.org/sbe/conferences/international-conference-on-plant-synthetic-biology-and-bioeng...
 
Description SRA Payam Mehrshahi presented a talk at the University of Cambridge Global Food Security - Food for Thought - Coffee Break Talks 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Payam's talk titled "Algae: towards a more nutritious and sustainable future kitchen" gave an overview of the research in our group and how we think algae is a solution to address deficiencies in food sustainability and nutrition. The 15 minute talk was followed by 45 minutes of Q&A. The audience was extremely diverse with all but one participant being from the algae for food sector. This diversity made for an excellent back and forth on how algae can gain greater foothold in our future kitchen.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.globalfood.cam.ac.uk/repres/food-thought-coffee-break-talks
 
Description SRA Payam Mehrshahi presented at the EIT food workshop ALGAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020 - TECHNIQUES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SUSTAINABLE BIOECONOMY 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact In 2020 due to the COVID restrictions, the EIT Food professional development course ALGAL BIOTECHNOLOGY - TECHNIQUES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SUSTAINABLE BIOECONOMY was held as a hybrid course. This course was developed and led by colleagues at The University of Cambridge (UK), Matis (Iceland) and Fraunhofer (Germany). The course attendees were graduate, postgraduate and industry professionals who are interested in gaining exposure to the latest insight into technical, commercial and policy concepts that impact algal biotechnology. Payam's talk titled "Genetic Engineering Approaches For Algal Biotechnology" was followed by a Q&A session. The range of questions was testament to the diversity of interests and stage in career of those in attendance.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.eitfood.eu/projects/algal-biotechnology-techniques-and-opportunities-for-the-sustainable...
 
Description SRA Payam Mehrshahi presented poster at AlgaeEurope 2020 about the research and networking opportunities at the Algal Innovation Centre 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the event was held online in 2020. Around 250 researchers, industry and business partner with interests in algae biotechnology joined the four-day event. Payam presented an overview of research and expertise at the Algal Innovation Centre and indicated areas for networking and collaboration. The video recorded poster presentation was open to Q&A and attracted potential future collaborators.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://algaeurope.org/participants-information/?utm_campaign=2911&utm_source=enormail&utm_medium=em...
 
Description Science on Saturday, part of SET week in Cambridge 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact We had a stand in the science tent outside Dept of Plant Sciences. We demonstrated what algae are, what we use for now and how they might be used in the future for energy production. There were activities such as viewing microalgae with microscopes, extracting different light-harvesting pigments, and observing algae phototaxis. Children could handcraft their own algae using pipe cleaners or take part in an interactive algae quiz to win prices.

School asked for visit to talk to years 10-13.

Established the material to mount a Royal Society Summer Science Exhibit
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2006,2007,2008,2015,2016
 
Description Science on Sundays 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Short talk and Q&A on the nature of algae and how their characteristics could be used for sustainable energy, water remediation, or other green tech solutions. Held in the Cambridge Botanic Garden, the audience were interested in plants, and so this was an opportunity to provide information on what algae are, and how they might be used in novel ways. The audience fed back that they felt much better informed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/NewsItem.aspx?p=27&ix=196
 
Description Science with Impact at SEB annual meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited to present overview of using algae to capture CO2 and generate energy in "Science with Impact" session at Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) annual conference in Prague. Media interest on this session at the time, and session report published in SEB magazine (Autumn 2015, pp 50-51), prompting requests from schools and other science engagement organisations to speak.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.sebiology.org/meetings/Past_Meetings/Prague2015/education.html
 
Description Showcasing Turkeyi-Britain collaboration 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Online showcasing of collaborative project with Turkeyi, entitled "Turkeyi-Britain partnering to support the algal biotech sector", hosted by British Council Newton for Climate
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description The Life Scientific on BBC Radio 4 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was interviewed by Jim Al-Khalili about my scientific career and interest in algae and vitamins. The programme "The Life Scientific" was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and was also available on BBC iPlayer and as a podcast. As a result I have had numerous contacts about possible scientific and industrial collaborations, as well as enquiries from the general public about the various topics.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08bzl8y