Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026
11:08
Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids
Published on: January 7, 2019
22.7K
Recent progress and future challenges in algal biofuel production.
Jonathan B Shurin1, Michael D Burkart2, Stephen P Mayfield1
1Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.
F1000Research
|October 27, 2016
Summary
Algae offer a sustainable energy source and carbon capture solution. Research into algal biotechnology, integrating diverse scientific fields, is crucial for unlocking their commercial potential.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Renewable Energy
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Modern society relies on fossil fuels, necessitating sustainable alternatives.
- Photosynthetic organisms, particularly algae, present a viable option for bioenergy production and atmospheric carbon capture.
- Algae grow rapidly, requiring fewer resources than terrestrial crops for energy generation.
Approach:
- Reviewing progress and challenges in algae-based bioenergy technology.
- Exploring the potential of high-value products from algal biomass to drive commercialization.
- Highlighting the need for an integrative biological approach, considering genetics, cell biology, ecology, and evolution.
Key Points:
- Algae are efficient primary producers with potential for biofuel and high-value product generation.
- Algal biology presents unique challenges and opportunities compared to terrestrial plants.
- An interdisciplinary systems approach is essential for advancing algal biotechnology.
Conclusions:
- Developing algal biotechnology requires a holistic understanding of algal biology from genes to ecosystems.
- Integrating physical, chemical, and social sciences is vital for solving critical technological problems in algal bioenergy.
- Algal biotechnology holds significant promise for sustainable energy and climate change mitigation.
More Related Videos
10:08Construction and Setup of a Bench-scale Algal Photosynthetic Bioreactor with Temperature, Light, and pH Monitoring for Kinetic Growth Tests
Published on: June 14, 2017
17.4K
10:20Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
16.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:21Green Algae
1.0K
Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...
1.0K
01:28Overview of Algae
1.3K
The kingdom Archaeplastida encompasses red and green algae, along with land plants. Unlike other protists with chloroplasts that arose through secondary endosymbiosis, only red and green algae originated from primary endosymbiotic events. This diverse group of eukaryotic organisms contains chlorophyll and performs oxygenic photosynthesis.Algae exist in various forms, from large brown kelp in coastal waters to green scum in puddles and stains on rocks or soil. Some species are responsible for...
1.3K
01:19Other Algae
565
The group Stramenopiles include some phototrophic microorganisms. Members of this group possess flagella covered in numerous short, hairlike extensions, a feature that inspired the group's name, derived from the Latin words for "straw" and "hair." Some of the main categories of Stramenopiles include diatoms, golden algae, and brown algae.Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes, with over 200 known genera. They play a key role in the planktonic communities of both marine and...
565
01:23Red Algae
1.6K
Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...
1.6K
01:20Fates of Pyruvate
11.9K
Pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis, where glucose is oxidized to pyruvate, simultaneously reducing NAD+ to NADH. Two molecules of ATP are also produced by substrate-level phosphorylation.
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
11.9K