Fundamental science research for applications of micro- and macro-algae

Overview

Micro-algae and macro-algae (seaweeds) form the basis of almost all marine food webs. There are over 10,000 species of algae known. All these organisms use solar radiation for the production of organic compounds (marine plant biomass). Algae can be used for the production of carbohydrates, proteins, oil or pharmaceutical products. However, the biochemical composition of algae differs between species and is strongly dependent on the growth conditions. At the CIO Oceans department, together with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, department Estuarine and Delta Systems (EDS), NIOZ-Yerseke, we want to further develop fundamental and innovative applied knowledge of marine plant organisms, and to make this knowledge available to businesses for the production of, for example, food feed and energy. The research goes from physiology (e.g. nutrient uptake kinetics) via genetics (e.g. selective breeding of seaweeds) to ecology (e.g. carrying capacity of the natural marine ecosystem), often on close cooperation with companies.

Contact person

Prof. dr. K.R. (Klaas) Timmermans

Current projects

• ValgOrize: Valorization of algae for a better taste (INTERREG 2 Seas programme, partners: NIOZ, HZ University of Applied Sciences, Zeewaar B.V., Saline Farming B.V., en Stichting Noordzeeboerderij)
• NIOZ Seaweed Centre: experimental cultivation facility for seaweeds
• FUCOS Kiem GoChem, Fucoxanthin extracts from seaweeds for bioactive cosmetic applications, in cooperation with University of Applied Sciences, Hogeschool Zeeland
• PhD project "Effects of temperature on Northsea seaweeds" by Xiaowei Ding, funded by CSC scholarship 2021-2025

Previous projects

• PhD project by Alexander Ebbing: "(A)biotic lifecycle controls of multiannual delayed gametophytes of Laminariales (brown seaweeds)" NIOZ project, PhD graduation expected in May 2022
• PhD project by Christos Latsos: "Rhodomonas unravelled", in cooperation with University of Applied Sciences Hogeschool Zeeland, graduation expected March 2022
• Cultivating microalgae on palm oil mill effluent for value-added products
• Developing new natural and sustainable products from marine microalgae
• Vegetable Biomass from Sea (subsidy Province of North Holland, partners: ECN, WMR, NIOZ)
• Seaweed Hatchery project: propagation and selection of seaweeds for a sustainable seaweedfarm (EU fisheries fund)
• ZEEVIVO: Proteins extracted from seaweeds for fish feed (RAAK-PRO) (s ubsidy partners Hogeschool van Hall Larenstein, NIOZ, Hortimare, DANVOS, WMR)
• EU COST action FA1406: “Advancing knowledge on seaweed growth and development”