Project

Microalgae were always an exciting target for Aquaculture and Biotechnology, as they represent a largely untapped reservoir of novel and valuable bioactive compounds.

The ALGAE4A-B (ALGAE For Aquaculture and Beauty) project seeks to exploit the microalgae diversity, as a source for state-of-the art high-added-value biomolecules relevant for aquaculture and cosmetics.

“ALGAE4A-B aspires to foster both European capacity building and the strategic objectives of EU Blue Growth and Marine Biotechnology to harness the untapped potential of Europe's seas and coasts for training and sustainable growth”

Microalgae Biomass Production

The diversification of microalgae biomass production towards two independent applications in the project will allow the microalgae industry to gain access to alternative markets in an uncertain, highly competitive and fast changing commercial environment. .

Basic and applied research

The project will combine both basic and applied multidisciplinary research in the fields of –omics technologies, biochemistry and applied biotechnology in order to:

Develop and optimize of low input and application-based microalgae culture systems
Develop of “-omic” resources for both microalgae and fishes
Develop of downstream processing of high value added products from microalgae, with an emphasis on polysaccharides, proteins, enzymes, antioxidants
Develop, formulate and evaluate in vitro a new range of cosmetic and nutraceutical products for aquaculture.

An European Horizon 2020 project

The implementation of the project will offer the industrial partners the opportunity to translate scientific research into well-defined knowledge-based end products and analytical tools.

Apart from scientific objectives the ALGAE4A-B will provide a platform for efficient dissemination, transfer of knowledge and training between academic and commercial partners and society.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 691102.