FutureAlgae, formerly FutureByInsects, utilises microalgae to transforms CO2 emissions into valuable Nutrients.

Biophotonics, circular economy, CO2 sequestration, micro-algae/PBRs and insects/BSF - from lab to pilot and at scale

Venture Launchpad cohort3

biophotonics

"Sustainable Water and Wastewater Treatment" - with WessexWaterTo understand the biological processes which contribute to nutrient recovery and degradation or transformation of pharmacologically active molecules from wastewater effluents in microalgal systems in the view of delivering pilot scale systems.• Technology evaluation,• Lab-based protocols for microalgal systems to replicate full-size scenarios,• Modelling of microalgal nutrient recovery and… Show more "Sustainable Water and Wastewater Treatment" - with WessexWaterTo understand the biological processes which contribute to nutrient recovery and degradation or transformation of pharmacologically active molecules from wastewater effluents in microalgal systems in the view of delivering pilot scale systems.• Technology evaluation,• Lab-based protocols for microalgal systems to replicate full-size scenarios,• Modelling of microalgal nutrient recovery and photobioreactors,• Developing design criteria for scale up pilots photobioreactors (PBRs) and raceway ponds (HRAPs)• Fate of priority and emerging pollutants passing through these systems,• Valorization of the algal biomass: co-digestion with sludges, food waste... in anaerobic digesters (AD), green crude (hydrothermal liquefaction), enhanced fertilizer.Side projects looking at:- Biophotonics: optimising light for enhanced algal growth (LEDs technology through incremental light intensity (ILI) and flashing light effect (FLE)).- Micro- and nano-bubbles (MNBs) for algae culture (CO2 delivery and incorporation, light guiding effect), hydroponics and other bio- and non-bio-technological applications.Supervising 2x Biology PhD candidates, and numerous MSc, MRes and undergraduate students from the Departments of Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Electronic and Electrical Engineering. Show less

“Commercial Protein Production from Microalgae to Utilise AD Digestate and Waste Heat” - with Andigestion LtdFeasibility study to establish and demonstrate the commercial attractiveness of utilising anaerobic digestate (AD) and associated excess heat as the basis for a process to produce algae biomass for feed.• Working in partnership with industry partner Andigestion Ltd.• Proof of concept project based at the University (lab scale and 500 L open ponds) to determine the set up… Show more “Commercial Protein Production from Microalgae to Utilise AD Digestate and Waste Heat” - with Andigestion LtdFeasibility study to establish and demonstrate the commercial attractiveness of utilising anaerobic digestate (AD) and associated excess heat as the basis for a process to produce algae biomass for feed.• Working in partnership with industry partner Andigestion Ltd.• Proof of concept project based at the University (lab scale and 500 L open ponds) to determine the set up of a pilot facility at the industry partner’s site (open ponds ca. 1 acre).• Analysis of the biomass, protein and oil contents, profile.• Establishing optimal culture and process conditions, optimisation of yields and system requirements, and identifying scale up routes achieving the £/t threshold. Show less

"Heamatococcus pluvialis for natural Astaxanthin" - with Aragreen LtdUsing of the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis in a pilot photobioreactor to complete nutrient removal from wastewater (polishing), and valorize the microalgae biomass commercially in bioproducts, maximising the yield of the high added-value pigment it contains Astaxanthin, used in animal feed, food and nutraceutical… Show more "Heamatococcus pluvialis for natural Astaxanthin" - with Aragreen LtdUsing of the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis in a pilot photobioreactor to complete nutrient removal from wastewater (polishing), and valorize the microalgae biomass commercially in bioproducts, maximising the yield of the high added-value pigment it contains Astaxanthin, used in animal feed, food and nutraceutical applications.• http://www.bath.ac.uk/kta/news/algae_wastewater_treatment_press_release.htmlSet up a pilot plant for demonstration purposes with a 4,000 L photobioreactor and scale up• http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/2011/09/15/algae-pilot-plant/Side projects looking at:- Biophotonics: optimising light for enhanced algal growth (LEDs technology through incremental light intensity (ILI) and flashing light effect (FLE)).- Nanotechnologies (micro/nano-bubbles (MNBs)) for algae culture (CO2 delivery and incorporation, light scattering effect), hydroponics and other bio- and non-bio-technological applications. Show less

Within the Centre for Extremophile (and Archaea) Research (CER), headed by Prof Michael J. Danson:"Enzymes for BioHydrogen and Biofuel cells:Characterisation of the enzymes involved in methanol dissimilation in Bacillus methanolicus; Assessment of enzyme-based biohydrogen production for a cell-free biofuel cell."

(As a PhD student) Teaching and demonstrating practical classes for Biology and Biochemistry undergraduates in a range of subjects, mostly biochemistry and molecular biology.

Set up the Metabolomics platform for MoA discoveryDesign of enzyme-based tests to support the fungal pathogen MoA discovery group

Glyphosate tolerant crops- part of the team which provided in record time the full molecular characterisation of a corn event for its registration, that became the basis of the Agrisure traits brandBiopharmaDesigning and engineering a collection of antibiotic-reisitant bacterial strains to use as a tool to screen Syngenta's proprietary chemistry compound collection for anti-bacterial activity.

Glyphosate-tolerant crops-Molecular biology - designing and executing gene constructs for the transformation team-Collaborating with the GH and field trials team in Europe, USA and LATAM

Spatial and temporal characterisation of Protease Inhibitors in pea

Characterisation and mapping of a tomato invertase inhibitor (#PBI-Cambridge)

Characterisation of an enzyme for herbicide tolerance in maize (Dr Matthew Rodgers)

Effect of fruit load on water-soaking and fruit quality in cantloupe melon fruits (Dr M.Valantin, Prof B.Vaissière)

Non-shivering thermogenesis in cold-adapted ducklings (as a model for penguins)(Dr J-L Rouanet, Dr H Barré, Dr C Duchamp)

Management from field to harvest to delivery to co-op of cantaloupe melons cropCare and management of a small dairy herd General farm management of crops (cereals for feed, small wineyard, vegetable for feed)