Development of a combined mathematical and experimental approach for the design, evaluation and optimization of algae based bio-refinery processes

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-Studying, understanding and quantifying the characteristics/traits that render an algae species a good candidate for bio-refinery type applications-Understanding algae cell metabolism and identifying both Metabolic and Bioprocess Engineering strategies that can increase yields and profitability of algae-based bio-refineries-Exploring the metabolic capabilities of algae and identifying environmental and process conditions that favour/optimize the synergistic generation of multiple product streamsBackground. Although a number of algal biomass conversion technologies have been recently commercialized (e.g., bio-diesel production, dry and wet algal biomass conversion technologies, etc.), it is clear that major economic and technical barriers still exist regarding the commercial feasibility of algal-based bioprocessing. Towards that end, the concept of algae based biorefineries is being pursued in order to enable the generation of secondary (and tertiary) fermentation product streams in an attempt to exploit the wide range of chemicals that can be produced by algae. Understanding algal metabolism and how it responds to varying environmental and bioprocessing conditions is an integral part of designing and optimizing an algae-based biorefinery. The aim of this project is the development of an integrated methodology combining Multi-scale Modelling, Metabolic Engineering and wet-lab experiments in order to: (i) Study algae cell metabolism under varying environmental and bioprocessing conditions (ii) Identify environmental conditions (i.e., media composition, feeding schedule, osmotic pressure) that cause shifts in the utilised catabolic pathways and affect product yields and diversity (iii) Combine metabolic modelling, (global) sensitivity analysis and design of experiments in order to derive fast, cost-effective, reliable and robust model-aided tests for the screening of multiple algal species and the selection of species better suited for industrial scale biorefinery applications (iv) Use of Systems Biology and Model Analysis techniques for the design and optimisation of cell culture media/conditions and feeding policies that lead to improved product yields.