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H2020Doctoral network2015–2018

ALFF · The Algal Microbiome: Friends and Foes

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2015-01-01 → 2018-12-31
EU contribution
€3,710,595
Participants
28
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.

Results in brief

The Algal Microbiome: Friends and Foes

Globally, algal aquaculture is developing rapidly and is a multi-billion dollar industry employing millions of people. As any friend of Asian cuisine knows, algae are an important and healthy source of food that is growing in popularity, but we use algae also in many other industries. In the chemical and pharmaceutical industries algae serve as fertilizers, soil conditioners and for wastewater treatment. The energy industry has been developing biofuels from both microalgae and seaweeds. Algae are also popular ingredients in the cosmetics industry too. On the other hand, some algae are perceived as a nuisance, for example green tides that develop as a result of pollution. In fact, algae are incredibly diverse, with a huge ecological importance both in marine and freshwater environments. In order to understand their role in ecosystems, to support their cultivation or to limit their unwanted proliferation, it is important to know what algae need to flourish, and to control their diseases and pests. At present, the single biggest biological challenge to further develop algal aquaculture is to first understand and then control both beneficial and harmful microbes – the microbial flora or algal microbiome. The main aims of ALFF research are to: 1) identify, classify and utilise naturally occurring algal symbionts and pathogens; 2) tackle inter- and intra-species signalling and chemical ecology in aquaculture, the natural environment and simplified systems 3) to harness state of the art genomics, molecular and biochemical techniques to characterise these interactions The overarching aim of programme is to training 14 PhD students within this multinational consortium whilst bringing a fundamental scientific change in our understanding of these interactions, leading to the development of superior mass algal cultivation and biocontrol strategies. Over the period 2015-2018, ALFF has already resulted in over 20 peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Algal aquaculture is developing exponentially worldwide, with multiple applications in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Current research in algal biotechnology mostly focuses on metabolite discovery, aquaculture yield improvement and engineering bottlenecks. However, agronomical experience shows that controlling the interaction of land crops with mutualistic or pathogenic microbes is most critical to successful production. Likewise, controlling the microbial flora associated with algae (the 'algal microbiome') is emerging as the biggest biological challenge for their increased usage. Bacteria can control the morphogenesis of algae, while others are indispensable to algal survival. Pathogens are causing devastating diseases, the impact of which worsens with the intensification of aquaculture practices. Thus, the overarching aim of ALFF is to train 15 ESRs (researchers and technologists) within a multinational consortium, whilst bringing a scientific step-change in our understanding of these interactions, leading to the development of superior mass algal cultivation and biocontrol strategies. ALFF tackles: 1) the identification, taxonomy and utilisation of naturally-occurring algal symbionts and pathogens; 2) inter- and intra-species signalling and chemical ecology in aquaculture, natural environment and simplified systems (i.e. axenic cultures +/- symbionts); 3) and harnesses state of the art genomics, molecular, and biochemical techniques to characterise these interactions. A highly interdisciplinary team underpins an ambitious theoretical, field, hands-on training and research program. With the support of high profile institutions, ALFF foresees an exceptionally broad range of dissemination and outreach initiatives to help policy makers and the general public better understand the opportunities and issues relating to the sustainable use of our aquatic freshwater and marine resources, within and beyond the EU.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • THE SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION FOR MARINESCIENCE LBG · Dunbeg ObanCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
  • A4F ALGA FUEL SA · LisboaPortugal
  • ALGAPLUS-PRODUCAO E COMERCIALIZACAODE ALGAS E SEUS DERIVADOS, SA · ILHAVOPortugal
  • APPLIED MATHS NV · Sint Martens LatemCity levelBelgium
  • Algoteca de Coimbra · CoimbraUnknown Region
  • BANTRY MARINE RESEARCH STATION LIMITED · BantryIreland
  • Bezhin Rosko · SantecUnknown Region
  • BioMarine · Hong KongUnknown Region
  • CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS · ParisFrance
  • CiIMAR-Madeira · FunchalUnknown Region
  • DOKUZ EYLUL UNIVERSITESI · Alsancak IzmirTürkiye
  • Dynasty Biotechnology Ltd · CambridgeUnknown Region
  • ECOFUEL LABORATORIES SRO · PrahaCzechia
  • FRIEDRICH-SCHILLER-UNIVERSITÄT JENA · JENAGermany
  • Genomia Management Ltd · MidlothianUnknown Region
  • HORTIMARE BV · HeerhugowaardNetherlands
  • LIMCO INTERNATIONAL GMBH · KonstanzGermany
  • MARINE SCOTLAND · AberdeenUnited Kingdom
  • OSTRAVSKA UNIVERZITA · OstravaCzechia
  • PROVIRON HOLDING NV · HemiksemBelgium
  • SAMS RESEARCH SERVICES LIMITED · ObanUnited Kingdom
  • STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTEN · UtrechtNetherlands
  • Syngulon · GosseliesBelgium
  • UNIVERSITAT KONSTANZ · KonstanzGermany
  • UNIVERSITE CLERMONT AUVERGNE · Clermont-FerrandFrance
  • UNIVERSITEIT GENT · GentBelgium
  • United nations University Institute for water, Environment and Health · HamiltonCanada
  • VIB VZW · ZWIJNAARDE - GENTBelgium

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union