Algaculture for Biotechnology Course

High oil prices, competing demands between foods and other biofuel sources, and concerns over global food security have ignited interest in algaculture (farming algae).  So how can biologists learn more about this ‘growing’ industry?

Algae and protozoa are the under-stated power houses of our oceans.  They perhaps hold the answers to some of the world’s most challenging problems and, as a result, interest and research in algaculture is intensifying.  One of the world’s leading authorities on the subject is here in the UK, at The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). SAMS houses the NERC Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, which contains over 2000 strains. 

If you would like to know more about culturing algae for use in biotechnology research, SAMS runs a two-day course covering media preparation, isolation of inoculates, maintenance of cultures, macro-algal cultivation and particular issues in relation to the development of biofuels.

The course is led by Dr John Day; a leading international authority on algal biotechnology.  The curator of CCAP since 1990; he has particular interests in algal biotechnology, biofuels and bioinformatics.  

To find out more, visit http://www.sams.ac.uk/education/short-courses/algaculture-for-biotechnology, email SAMScourses@sams.ac.uk or call 01631 559 430.

ENDS

Photo Credit: The Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP)

For further information regarding this press release, or if you would like additional photographs, interviews or competition prizes, please contact Joanne Allday

Joanne.allday@sams.ac.uk / 01631 559224