One of the most pressing grand challenges facing humanity is sustainably supporting a human population predicted to increase to 9 billion people by mid-century. Meeting this challenge will require the development of new and innovative renewable production systems that not only help meet the energy and health-product needs of the populace, but do so in a way that is environmentally and economically sustainable. One approach to address the problems of dwindling reserves of non-renewable fuel resources and rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is to capture concentrated carbon dioxide (CO2) emerging from waste treatment facilities, petroleum refineries, coal and other energy sources and convert the CO2 into useful products, including dietary supplements, medicinals, and biofuels. Microalgae species represent a potential renewable source of such products due to their ability to use light to fix CO2 into biomolecules. However, there are currently critical technical bottlenecks including slow growth rates and low synthesis rates of desired products and inefficient access to CO2 and light. These limitations will be addressed in an award made by the National Science Foundation Office of Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation, through a collaboration between engineers and scientists Michael Betenbaugh and Royce Francis at Johns Hopkins University, Maciek Antoniewicz at University of Delaware, Steven Miller at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Bernhard Palsson at University of California, San Diego. They intend to combine genome-scale modeling, metabolic flux analysis, metabolic engineering, and process optimization to improve algae cultivation and capture and convert CO2 and light into useful bioproducts, including carotenoids and hydrocarbons similar to gasoline. Genetic and bioprocess engineering methods will be used to improve pathways involving CO2 capture, carotenoid biosynthesis, and hydrocarbon biosynthesis. Genome-scale models of algal physiology will be connected to bioreactor models in order to optimize commercial-scale production processes and metabolic flux analysis will evaluate the success of these engineering efforts. The investigative team will use life-cycle, economic, and social impact analysis to ensure microalgae bioprocess sustainability.
In order to expand the broader impacts to maximize the educational value, investigators will work closely with Baltimore Poly High School, middle schools, and community colleges to attract, prepare, and retain minority and female students and faculty into STEM fields through various new educational programs. One feature of this effort will be the development of a microalgal demonstration facility for local students and the general public to learn how algae remediate CO2 while generating useful products. These programs will help recruit and train future scientists and engineers in key STEM fields.
