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Ireland and UK Sign Marine Research, Development and Innovation Agreement
Posted On: April 24, 2012Dr Peter Heffernan CEO, Marine Institute, and Prof Ian Wright, Deputy Director, Science and Technology, National Oceanography Centre (UK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in the presence of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD, to foster closer co-operation and joint activities between Ireland and the UK in the area of marine research, development and innovation.
Co-operation planned is strategic and will reflect areas of mutual interest including: hydrography, seafloor and habitat mapping of the Atlantic; the development of fixed point ocean observatories; sensor development and associated platforms, and knowledge transfer and policy advice.
Minister Coveney, welcoming the MoU, re-stated the government’s view that research and innovation are key drivers of economic development and recovery as outlined in the national Consultation Document: Our Ocean Wealth – Towards on Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland (www.ouroceanwealth.ie) and the National Research Prioritisation Exercise.
Marine Scientists to Explore Whittard Canyon for Biodiversity
Posted On: April 13, 2012A team of Scientists led by Dr. Louise Allcock, NUI Galway sets sail onboard the RV Celtic Explorer 13th April 2012 to investigate biodiversity on the Whittard Canyon System.
Whittard Canyon is a huge canyon system that spans Irish, UK and French waters along the Atlantic margin. This survey will take place in the Irish territory where the Continental shelf drops down to depths beyond 3000 m. The Marine Institute’s Holland 1 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) will be deployed to explore the steep canyon walls where biodiversity is greatest because of the fast currents there. Whittard has been explored before, but the system is so vast that some areas are still unsurveyed.
The multidisciplinary team on board will be looking for corals and sponges, which can be found in extensive reefs at some depths.
Material collected on this cruise will be examined in antibacterial and anti-cancer assays as part of the National Marine Biodiscovery Programme in NUI Galway, UCC and the Marine Institute. The survey will also carry out detailed surveys of the canyon system in collaboration with onboard taxonomists from across Europe, who are experts in identifying deep sea marine organisms.
Sapphire Energy gets $144M in its fuel tank to turn algae into gasoline
Posted On: April 13, 2012Sapphire Energy, a company that creates algae-based fuel, just announced a whopping $144 million in funding.
In recent years several startups have emerged to create fuel out of plant material, all hoping to lure people away from gasoline made from crude oil. Solazyme, Algae.tec, and Sapphire Energy all dominate the space, trying to edge out not only each other but oil companies as well.
All three companies covert algae into a petroleum replacement, one that can work with the traditional cars we already have on the road.
Health Enhancement Products, Inc. Expands Intellectual Property Development Effort With Preeminent Research Scientist and Patent Counsel
Posted On: April 13, 2012Arizona-based algae producer Health Enhancement Products (OTCBB: HEPI) has engaged preeminent research scientist Dr. William Gerwick, Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences located in the La Jolla campus of the University of California at San Diego.
Dr. Gerwick’s current research focuses on the discovery of bioactive molecules with potential anticancer, antibacterial, neurotoxic, antiviral, or anti-inflammatory activity from marine organisms, such as algae. The pathways by which these complex molecules are assembled form the basis of Dr. Gerwick’s research, using stable isotope tracer methods and NMR analysis. Many marine algae produce prostaglandin and leukotriene analogs that are strikingly similar to substances produced in the human body, and that have therapeutic value as potential pharmacological agents.
OriginOil looks to build urban algae farm to treat wastewater and generate heat for homes
Posted On: April 3, 2012Algae are getting more attention from the world of science for its possible uses as a source of alternative energy. These simple organisms are very easy to manage and have shown strong resilience to a variety of environments that would be somewhat hostile to other life forms. As such, Algae have become a popular subject for use as a form of organic power. OriginOil, a company that converts algae into fuel, is looking to show off the uses for the organism in a new pilot project that will be launched in Los Angeles, California, at some point this year.
The company is working to create an urban algae farm that will be used to grow algae from wastewater.
Indian ministry test-drives diesel vehicle on algae-derived B100
Posted On: April 3, 2012The Indian Ministry of Science and Technology announced the government’s first test-run of 100 percent algae-derived biodiesel in a Chevrolet Tavera, a diesel multi-utility vehicle made by General Motors for the Indian market. The event took place March 30.
Algae startup Sapphire Energy raising $144M
Posted On: April 3, 2012Algae biofuel is getting a massive infusion of money. Startup Sapphire Energy, which uses synthetic biology to make a green crude out of algae that can be turned into gas, diesel or jet fuel, announced on Monday that it’s raising $144 million in a Series C round from investors including agriculture company Monsanto. Previous investors in Sapphire include Bill Gates’ investment firm Cascade Investment and Sapphire has also raised a $50 million grant from the Department of Energy and a $54.4 million dollar loan guarantee from the Department of Agriculture.
OECD Conference on Marine Biotechnology for Ocean Productivity and Sustainability: May 30-31 2012
Posted On: March 23, 2012This conference, held in late May in Vancouver, Canada, will address opportunities for marine biotechnology to contribute to global challenges such as of food and fuel security, population health, green growth and sustainable industries. The event aims at raising awareness among policy makers of the potential of the marine environment and how this potential could be realized through the use of marine biotechnology, in particular in the areas of generating economic benefit and environmental sustainability.
North Carolina’s Marine Biotechnology Center of Innovation Hires New CEO
Posted On: March 23, 2012Marine research in coastal NC will soon have a fresh flux of energy. The first Chief Executive Officer has been hired for the Marine Biotechnology Center of Innovation. Dr. Deborah Mosca began her new role on March 10.
Launched through funding of a Center of Innovation grant provided by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the MBCOI will be a catalyst for commercialization, partnership and entrepreneurial and fiscal investments for marine-based research and innovations. The MBCOI strives to be a sustainable, not-for-profit entity which will integrate marine biotechnology-based research, services, innovations, and entities to identify and meet market needs.
NUI Galway’s participation in Energetic Algae project (EnAlgae) investigates algae as sustainable energy source
Posted On: March 23, 2012Seaweed is big business in Asia, where it is cultivated and used in a variety of food and beauty products. Nine-tenths of the world’s production for commercial use takes place in China, Japan and Korea. It is also commonly used as a sugar-rich animal feedstock in the US.
Of the 500 species that can be found in Ireland, though, only a small number are harvested. Now researchers in at NUI Galway’s Ryan Institute are taking part in a European collaborative project to investigate the potential of algae as a source of sustainable energy.
Algal bio-energy development is still in its infancy, but NUI Galway’s participation in the Energetic Algae project (EnAlgae), a four-year, €1.2-million initiative which hopes to shed more light on this undervalued resource.
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