GAA

Research, development and transference in Algal Biotechnology. In the last years, the interest focused on the development of biotechnological processes of algae (macroalgae, microalgae and cyanobacteria), is very high worldwide. The Spanish Bank of Algae (BEA) holds an authorized and recognized culture collection of tropical and subtropical microalgae, cyanobacteria and extremophiles, particularly from the Macaronesian region.

This Collection is the base for the Interreg action REBECA Network. Recently BEA also develop a program for native seaweed conservation as “seed” material through different European initiatives including Global Seaweed Coalition.

General objectives of the laboratory include sampling and bioprospecting, isolation, identification, characterization, conservation and supply of strains, cultures, extracts and genomic DNA for scientific and industrial purposes, based on culture techniques from the laboratory to the pilot scales.

The biotechnological potential for the development of industrial applications of these strains, many of them not assayed before and therefore considering access to unique genetic resources, is interesting for multiple application fields like food and feed, nutraceuticals, biomedicine, cosmetics, aquaculture, agriculture, or new materials, among others.

Through a wide experience in laboratory and pilot-scale cultivation of marine macroalgae, microalgae and cyanobacteria, research objectives include also physiological and biochemical studies on biomass production, transformation, and the development of wastewaters (bioremediation) and CO2 biofiltration systems by using algae as sinks for global change mitigation actions according to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.