Worldwide interest in the role photosynthetic microorganisms in renewable energy value chains has increased dramatically and broadened from lipid and biodiesel products to many other areas including: nutraceuticals; carbon capture and commodity products; plastic precursors; bioelectrochemical systems; phycoremediation, and wastewater treatment. The attraction is high productivity and efficient biomass generation. There are several hurdles for large-scale commercial deployment. These include: cost-effective production; harvesting and dewatering; strain improvement, and investigation of the many thousands of species yet to be properly characterised.

Cyanobacteria and algae are found globally in a diverse range of aquatic habitats, including extreme environments. Under certain environmental conditions these organisms can thrive forming blooms or benthic mats. Understanding the ecology and physiology of these organisms in concert with a knowledge of their photosynthetic and bioenergetic mechanisms is essential for optimising growth under controlled conditions. There is a lot that can be learnt from data on these organisms in their natural settings and collaboration across a range of scientific disciplines will be critical in the advancement of the use of algae/cyanobacteria in future biomass, bioenergy and bioproducts projects.

We have attracted Prof Tony Larkum (University of Sydney and the Solar Fuels Consortia, Australia) and Prof Imre Vass (Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary) as guest speakers. Both are internationally renowned researchers in photosynthesis and algal biotechnology.

Venue: Biochemistry Department Seminar Room – Otago University

Draft Programme – to be finalised following expressions of interest

• We're keen to hear from parties interested in presenting, we'll collate this interest and organise into appropriate themes.
• Posters. While there will be no specific poster session, we encourage those who have already prepared posters in the field to bring them along, we'll have them up and available for discussion during the morning and afternoon breaks and possibly the discussion session later in the day.

Confirmed Posters

Attending Not Presenting