Harnessing Synthetic Ecology for commercial algae production

Synthetic polyester from algae oil.

Current efforts to technically use microalgae focus on the generation of fuels with a molecular structure identical to crude oil based products. Here we suggest a different approach for the utilization of algae by translating the unique molecular structures of algae oil fatty acids into higher value chemical intermediates and materials. A crude extract from a microalga, the diatom Phaeodactylum...

Chemical Ecology of Marine Bacteria and Algae

Synthetic ecology: a model system for cooperation.

S ynthetic biology offers the promise of a better understanding of biological systems through constructing them. Unlike naturally occurring biological systems, which are generally complicated by multiple variables and difficult to isolate components, synthetic systems can be simplified to allow for experiments that would be too difficult to interpret if done in their full natural context. Up to...

Phospholipids in Algae for Biodiesel Production

Introduction Biodiesel producers have long recognized the need for new sources of oil feedstock if biodiesel is to continue displacing petroleum-based diesel fuel. One potential source of oil that could minimize competition with food crops is microbial oil, with photosynthetic algae being the most widely studied option. An understanding of algal lipids, their native biochemistry and interaction...

Engineering algae for biohydrogen and biofuel production.

There is currently substantial interest in utilizing eukaryotic algae for the renewable production of several bioenergy carriers, including starches for alcohols, lipids for diesel fuel surrogates, and H2 for fuel cells. Relative to terrestrial biofuel feedstocks, algae can convert solar energy into fuels at higher photosynthetic efficiencies, and can thrive in salt water systems. Recently, the...