Polar algae - exploiting cold tolerant phenotypes in polar algae for increased growth and metabolite production
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Plant Sciences
Abstract
To characterise the growth and metabolic traits in polar marine algae to identify whether polar strains may be advantageous for the biotech industry. To characterise the growth and metabolite response of polar algae to different temperatures to identify whether there is a change in the metabolome and an advantage in growth.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/R009457/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/05/2023 | |||
| 1940176 | Studentship | NE/R009457/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | Sam Coffin |
| Description | Development of cryPharos algal bioreactors |
| Organisation | Xanthella ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Communications on the specifications of the bioreactors in terms of what temperatures were required, feedback on using the reactors. Subsequent research using the bioreactors carried out by myself. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research and development to produce bioreactors which are capable of very cold temperatures for use in polar research e.g. -2 degrees Celsius. Manufacture of the bioreactors and subsequent support upon delivery of the reactors. |
| Impact | The cyroPharos reactors developed through this partnership are now one of the main products being sold by Xanthella Ltd. The product has become a more generic bioreactor with specialist capabilities as it is able to do high temperatures of +25 degrees Celsius and the lower temperatures as well. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Isolation and deposition of new Antarctic diatom strains |
| Organisation | Culture Collection for Algae and Protozoa |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Isolation and deposition of newly isolated diatom strains from Antarctica to the culture collection. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of multiple culture collection isolates to be used for research within the PhD. |
| Impact | None as of yet. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Cambridge Science Festival |
| 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 | Our lab group presented work that is carried in the lab to the general public to inform them of the importance and impact of the work. Discussions were made with members of the public across all ages, helped by activities to engage children. People were pleasantly surprised by how important our line of work is, often having little knowledge of it before hand. So this event is an excellent way to inform the public. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | DTP blog of fieldwork |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | To produce a blog which detailed the fieldwork I carried out in Antarctica. The goal was to inform people about what it is like to work in Antarctica and to spread the importance of my research. I have had feedback from people who have read the blog saying they enjoyed it and learned about my research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://earthcambridge.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/the-oceanic-gems-of-antarctica/ |
| Description | Festival of plants |
| 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 | The work or our research lab was presented to the general public to inform them of the importance of our work. Various activities to engage with people of all ages were utilised and many good discussions were had. Many people went away having learned a lot about an important area of which they had little prior knowledge. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |