KAUST researchers are exploring the potential of algae for various high-value applications, including animal feed, crop fertilizers, and waste remediation. Claudio Grunewald directs a project focused on producing high-protein algae for agriculture. Kyle Lauersen brings expertise in algal synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. Why it matters: Investment in algae research and biotechnology could yield significant returns for Saudi Arabia, contributing to sustainable solutions and economic diversification.
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'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.
KAUST researchers have developed a green synthetic biology approach using engineered algae to replicate the complex fragrances of agarwood, also known as oudh. They catalogued the chemical diversity of sesquiterpenes (STPs) in 58 agarwood samples and reproduced some of the chemical complexity of agarwood STPs in algae using synthetic biology. The team used the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to produce nine distinct STP chemical products widely found in agarwood, offering a sustainable alternative to harvesting endangered trees. Why it matters: This research provides a sustainable route for producing sought-after fragrances, reducing pressure on endangered agarwood tree populations and promoting green chemistry in the region.
KAUST researchers discovered that the red algae strain Galdieria yellowstonesis can convert sugars from chocolate-processing waste into C-phycocyanin, a valuable blue pigment. The study found that high levels of carbon dioxide promote Galdieria growth, and the resulting phycocyanin was deemed food-safe by the U.S. FDA. Mars supported the research by providing chocolate samples. Why it matters: This research offers a sustainable method for waste management and contributes to a circular economy in the region, with potential applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.