The Algal Biotechnology Consortium - The ABC of biotechnology
The Algal Biotechnology Consortium (ABC; formerly Algal Bioenergy Consortium) involves a large multidisciplinary group of scientists who aim
to
use algae (including cyanobacteria) for a number of different applications in the biotechnology and bioenergy industry. This consortium brings
together molecular biologists, physiologists, chemists, engineers and chemical engineers
to facilitate the development of future biotechnology and bioenergy solutions. We collaborate with industrial partners
to
test our ideas.
Current work falls into the following main topics:
- The development of tools in algal molecular and synthetic biology for accumulation of desired products
- The production of algal biomass, including sequestration of CO2 from flue gases, and treatment of wastewater
- Use of cyanobacteria for the production of bio-photovoltaic panels
- Photosynthetic and biomimetic hydrogen production and CO2 reduction
We are also actively involved in increasing both energy awareness and public understanding of the opportunities and challenges biotechnology and bioenergy provide.
The current academic members of the consortium are listed below. The numbers in brackets refer to the projects in which these members have a particular interest:
- Dr Derek Bendall (2, 3), Biochemistry, University of Cambridge
- Dr John Dennis (2), Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge
- Dr Adrian Fisher (3), Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge
- Professor Chris Howe (2, 3), Biochemistry, University of Cambridge
- Professor Johnathan Napier (1, 2), Rothamsted Research
- Dr Saul Purton (1, 2, 4), University College London
- Dr Erwin Reisner (4), Chemistry, University of Cambridge
- Dr Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley (1, 2, 3), InCrops and Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge
- Dr Stuart Scott (1), Engineering, University of Cambridge
- Professor Alison Smith (1, 2, 3), Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge