Marine Biotechnology

Enabling Photosynthetic Microalgae as a Sustainable Feedstock for Food

The research group covers enabling biotechnologies with focus on exploration and exploitation of marine resources.

Our research group is localized at Marineholmen in Bergen and consists of 8 employees with background in molecular biology, microbiology, bioinformatics and bioprocess engineering.

The group studies development and scale-up of photosynthetic microalgae as a sustainable feedstock for food, feed and other products.

In addition, the group is involved in discovery and development of enzymes as biocatalysts for chemical reaction in industry. Enzymes can provide environmental gains by replacing traditional chemicals, consuming less water and energy, as well as providing new functional properties.

Contact

Gro Elin Kjæreng Bjerga

Marine Biotechnology Research Director - Bergen

grbj@norceresearch.no
+47 56 10 74 04
+47 907 81 736

The algae team in the research group studies bioprospecting, strain development and engineering, as well as process development. We use cold-adapted stains rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other interesting components found in Norwegian fjords and Arctic regions.

For the most promising strains we work on process development in the laboratory, and scale-up at the National Algae pilot Mongstad where we can produce 100 kilos of biomass for further processing and testing. We optimize the process towards ideal utilization of natural ressources such as sun light and sea water, but also integrate side streams as nutritional source, for example CO2 from flue gas, or organic waste streams as a source of nitrogen, phosphate and carbon.

The enzyme team of the group studies development of industrial enzymes naturally found in microorganisms, often using marine bacteria as a starting point. We use bioinformatics and ecological microbiology to identify natural enzymes for a specific function.

In addition, we use gene technology and synthetic biology (e.g., CRISPR recombineering technology) to develop and engineer enzymes towards specific industrial constraints, such as pH or temperature parameters, and to improve their production by recombinant expression or microbial fermentation.