CCRES Microalgae Process Design

 Microalgae Process Design

The waters of the world house a tremendous variety of microorganisms able to use light as the only source of energy to fuel metabolism. These unicellular organisms, microalgae and cyanobacteria, have the potential to produce energy sources and biofuels, and many other products. To make economical large-scale production of such bulk products possible, the optimal design of bioreactors and cultivation strategies are essential.

Target group

The course is aimed at PhD students, postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers, as well as professionals, that would like to acquire a thorough understanding of microalgal metabolism and photobioreactor design. An MSc level in bioprocess technology, or similar, is recommended.

Course contents

This course provides the essential skills for designing optimal microalgae-based production processes, for both research and commercial purposes.

Through lectures, digital cases and a photobioreactor practical session, the participants will learn:

1) how to describe microalgal metabolism quantitatively;

2) how to apply basic design principles and set up mass/energy balances for photobioreactors;

3) how to cultivate microalgae in fully controlled photobioreactors; and

4) how to integrate all acquired knowledge into optimal production strategies for microalgae biomass or secondary metabolites.

The daily programme is divided into approximately 5.5 hours of lectures and digital cases, and 2.5 hours of practical work. On Saturday and Sunday, 1.5 hours will be spent on practical work (microalgae do not stop growing at the weekends...). Saturday will also feature an excursion to the CCRES research facility, Zadar, Zaton, followed by a barbecue.

The course will be conducted in English and Croatian.

Course coordinators

Mr. Zeljko Serdar, President of CCRES

Mrs. Branka Kalle, President of Council CCRES

The course will be conducted in English and Croatian.

Location & accommodation

Lectures and practicals will be given at Croatian Center of Renewable Energy. Participants have to book their own hotel room.

Contact information

More information concerning the course content can be obtained from Mr. Zeljko Serdar (solarserdar@gmail.com).

For organisational matters please contact Mrs. Aleksandra Maradin, phone: +385-91-5475049.

Registration

To be able to fill in the registration form, you need to create an account, please contact solarserdar@gmail.com

The number of participants to the course is limited.

The final registration date is 9 June 2014.

Applicants will receive a confirmation of their registration within one week and will be informed about their acceptance to the course 1 May 2015 at the latest. When accepted to the course they will receive instructions for further course details.

The course is free for all CCRES members (which includes materials, coffee/tea during breaks, lunches one dinner and one BBQ but does not cover accommodation).

We look forward to collaborating with you.

FUCOSE

#Fucose is an essential hexose deoxy sugar the human body needs to optimally communicate from cell to cell. Simply put, it plays an important role in transmitting information in the brain. Research studies show that this sugar stimulates brain development and can also influence the brain to be able to create long-term memories. This is further supported by studies in which doctors inhibited protein containing fucose; amnesia was the result.

Fucose is found in a number of places in the human body. Its location in the male testes suggests that it may play an important role during reproduction. Also found in the epidermis, it may help in maintaining skin hydration. Beyond these locations, this sugar is found at the articulation between each nerve, in the tubules of the human kidney, and in significant quantities in human breast milk.

It's important not to confuse this with the similar sounding fructose. While both are sugars that can be commonly found in the body, fructose is a simple monosaccharide sugar found in many foods. For example, you can find a high amount of fructose in baby food, salad dressing, blackberries, tree fruits, honey and even some root vegetables. On the other hand, fucose, as previously stated, can be found in the human body naturally.

Studies also show that fucose may play a role in certain diseases, such as cancer and its infection method. Though research is not yet conclusive, there is promise shown for using fucose to inhibit both breast cancer and leukemia, in addition to tumor growth, in general. Some studies have even gone as far as to conclude that this hexose deoxy sugar seems to be among the most effective sugars at attempting to prevent cancer cells from growing.

Research indicates that even taking in fucose in extremely high amounts does not seem to present any real ill side effects, though recommendations are that the average 150-pound (68.2 kg) human adult can safely handle 34 grams of this sugar on a daily basis. During urination, fucose leaves the body, so people who urinate frequently can experience a deficiency in fucose. People with rheumatoid arthritis also generally are deficient in this kind of sugar. Many people opt to take supplements to ensure they have the right amount in their body. Seaweeds such as kelp, beer yeast, and medicinal mushrooms are also a good alternative to supplements and for people who have difficulty taking pills.

#CCRES #ALGAE TEAM