Events in 2009
Scientists Discuss the Innovation and Potential of Algae in the 4th Revolution in Biofuel
On October 19, the American Consulate General Thessaloniki hosted Dr. David Nobles Ph.D. in his research summary on ‘Algae Cellulose and Saccharides’ during an event co-organized by the Consulate and the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas. Dr. Nobles, one of six established researchers who spoke at the conference, addressed a ‘new frontier’ in the exploitation of algae for the ‘sustainable’ production of cellulose through Cyanobacteria. This research has explored the potential for Cyanobacteria as a commercially viable source for both bioplastics, and a fourth revolution in the biofuels industry through oil production from genetically modified algae. Theoretically, the algae-based biofuels industry may one-day encompass the entire fossil fuel requirements of the United States and revitalize the decaying infrastructure of the fossil fuels industry; however, Dr. Nobles stressed, as did the other speakers, the need for a degree of caution and the need to research the ethical and economic realities of our world as they relate to these initiatives before introducing genetically modified algae into the commercial markets.
The conference highlighted the potentials of Cyanobacteria in American and world markets in the race to establish industries that develop alternate resources. Presently, these niche industries, exploiting algae for agricultural, commercial and pharmaceutical products have their largest markets in the United States, but the industry is worldwide. The biofuels industry may alleviate the dwindling fossil fuel resource with a bio-alternative, which does not tap into the world’s already stressed agricultural land.