A workshop on "Scaling Algal Production Technologies for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" was held at KAUST from November 10-12, 2013, with attendees from government, industry, and academia. The workshop addressed algae's role in food security and its link to the food and pharmaceutical industries in Saudi Arabia. Participants reviewed the latest scientific work, the high-tech investor landscape, and mechanisms for partnerships in algal biotechnology. Why it matters: Although this event happened in 2013, it shows the early commitment of Saudi Arabia and KAUST to exploring biotechnology solutions for food security, an ongoing priority in the region.
KAUST has launched a pilot algae facility as part of the DAB-KSA project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA). The facility aims to produce high-protein algae for animal feed, particularly for fish and poultry, using outdoor ponds and closed tubes. KAUST is positioning itself as a center for algal research, leveraging the Kingdom's resources like sunlight, saltwater, and CO2. Why it matters: This initiative could significantly reduce Saudi Arabia's reliance on imported animal feed and contribute to food security.
KAUST researchers cultivated the extremophile microalga Cyanidioschyzon merolae, which thrives in hot, acidic conditions, using commercial fertilizer at lab and outdoor large-scale culture. This was part of the Development of Algal Biotechnology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (DABKSA) project, a collaboration between MEWA and KAUST. The microalgae consume pollutants and CO2 to produce biomass like proteins and oils, which can be used as sustainable animal feed. Why it matters: This positions Saudi Arabia as a potential leader in algal technologies, strengthens food independence, and contributes to the country's carbon net-zero goal by 2060.
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) and KAUST have signed a strategic partnership agreement focused on research, development, and innovation. As part of this, MEWA is sponsoring Phase II of the Algae & Aquaculture Technologies Development Project at KAUST. The project aims to establish an algae industry in Saudi Arabia, create jobs, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Why it matters: This partnership signals a commitment to developing sustainable technologies and diversifying the Saudi economy through aquaculture and algal biotechnology.
KAUST's algae biotechnology lab, led by Kyle Lauersen, is isolating and characterizing algal species adapted to Saudi Arabia's climate, using 22 bioreactors to simulate different conditions. The team has isolated over 60 strains, building a biobank for Saudi Arabia, and collaborates with a pilot algal facility supported by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to produce high-protein algae for aquaculture. They are also determining optimal conditions for algal growth and measuring oil, protein, and carbohydrate production. Why it matters: This research has the potential to advance Saudi Arabia's bioeconomy by leveraging algae for wastewater treatment, animal feed production, and other applications.