A New Photo-Bioreactor For The Large-Scale Axenic Culture Of Coral Symbiotic

Funding: 2016: $135,000
2017: $125,000
2018: $112,000

Project Member(s): Suggett, D., Ralph, P.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Linkage Projects)
GE Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd

Start year: 2016

Summary: This project aims to deliver a scalable photo-bioreactor for the large scale axenic culture of microalgae to close the technology gap for research and development in the Australian algae biotechnology sector. Algae biotechnology is a rapidly emerging area, particularly in biofuel production. GE Healthcare (GEHC) does not have in-house algal photobiology expertise and has partnered with UTS to realise its ambition to lead this market. The GEHC photo-bioreactor will be demonstrated for its applicability to produce sufficient algae biomass to study a low abundance photosynthetic protein complex to advance knowledge of coral bleaching. This research will contribute to the national innovation system by growing algae biotechnology in Australia.

FOR Codes: Environmental Marine Biotechnology, Plant Physiology, Industrial Instruments, Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences, Plant physiology

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.