BioMatNet Item: QLK3-2002-02132 - ALGINET - Microalgae as Cell Factories for Chemical and Biochemical Products

[BioMatNet Database - FP5 Quality of Life Programme]

QLK3-2002-02132
ALGINET - Microalgae as Cell Factories for Chemical and Biochemical Products

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Biological Conversion : Fine Chemicals : Quality of Life - Other Activities in Key Action 5

Type of Project	Thematic Network
Contract No	QLK3-2002-02132
Total Cost
EC Contribution	1,221,878 EUR
Start Date	01/02/2003
Duration	36 months

Abstract

There is increasing interest throughout Europe in alternative methods of obtaining chemical and biochemical products. Scientists are increasingly turning to microalgae as a natural source of many useful products. They also have many other useful properties, e.g. as a food source for humans and animals. There has been considerable research performed throughout Europe into microalgae, but good results have been limited, due to poor coordination and duplication of research. The uptake rate of new technology has also been less than impressive.

This network will support European research into microalgae and make recommendations for its future direction. It will aid technology transfer between cutting edge research companies and SMEs and also lay the groundwork for a microalgal 'virtual institute'.

Objectives

The main aims of the network are:

improve communication between workers in the field of microalgae (and phycology generally).
elaborate the current state of the art in the field.
focus the direction of European research, to open new markets for microalgal products.
provide a standard online reference portal for workers in the field.
enable more rapid dissemination of research results, to speed the uptake of new technologies.
identify obstacles to the development of microalgal technologies and to propose solutions.
attract new interest in the field.
develop an ongoing 'virtual institute' model and lay the groundwork for future RTD projects.

Activities

The network aims to investigate all areas of microalgae and has five main areas of work:

summary of European algae collections: will bring together data from various algal collections into a single portal and provide the definitive first stop for all users of microalgal products.
research and development strategy determination: will examine the current state of the art in microalgal technology and make recommendations for the future direction of European research.
microalgae and cyanobacteria in industrial processes: will study current industrial applications of microalgae and try to identify possible future uses.
limitations on the use of microalgae: will use results of other WPs and expertise of network members to propose possible solutions to current obstacles preventing the use of microalgal technology.
technological dissemination: will promote the network and spread its results. Will encourage technology transfer between members and beyond and will solidify the network structure to lay the groundwork for a European Virtual Phycology Institute.

This network aims to help coordinate the European research effort. It plans to lay the groundwork for other research projects by providing a comprehensive online database of information relating to the subject and provide a detailed state of the art survey. It also proposes to identify areas of high added value, so that the returns on future research investment will be greater. It will also have an active dissemination strategy and plans to establish a virtual institute to assist future research.

Deliverables

Key deliverable results will be:

the creation of a searchable online database of European algal collections
a comprehensive literature and patent search
a database of European centres of excellence
the publication of ten e-books on ten species of microalgae
a report on the future direction of European research
a catalogue of current uses of microalgae
a report into areas where microalgae could be used
two Europe-wide workshops to improve awareness of the technology, and
a student thesis competition.

The preliminary work towards the establishment of a virtual institute for microalgal technology will be another major deliverable of the project.

Contacts

Coordinator

Chalex Research Ltd UNITED KINGDOM

Participant