S127: The Development of Robust Algae Strains

Aurora Algae is a producer of high-performance, premium algae-based products for the pharmaceutical, nutrition, aquaculture and fuels markets.  Aurora Algae’s proprietary algae strains and production process uses arid land, seawater and captured carbon pollution from industrial emitters, resulting in more efficient and environmentally sustainable algae farming.  The development of robust algae strains for these purposes is an ongoing challenge. Production strains are expected to retain genomic stability, maintain their physiological traits and perform continuously year-round in harsh open ponds conditions.   R&D efforts to develop improved, stable algae strains involve advanced molecular tools such as homologous recombination and next-generation sequencing.   Elaborate screening methods are applied to evaluate the strains stability and to reassure consistent products profile.   This work led to several strains that have been successfully scaled up from lab to acre size production ponds in the pilot plant operation at  Karatha, Australia.