Microalgae can perform the more advanced post-translational modification of eukaryotes, but cost a fraction of the price to grow compared to animal cell culture. By expressing therapeutic proteins we may be able to produce these products at a much lower cost, increasing the accessibility of life-saving treatments. 

Separations are much easier when the product is extracellular. Our focus is on how to increase the production of proteins outside the cell to produce therapeutic proteins or enzymes that can produce small molecule products outside the cell. Products of interest include bioreagents for gene therapy production and isoprenoids with possible anti-viral properties (see natural products below).

Metabolic engineering and genetic engineering tools are used to create new or improved biosynthesis pathways. Our focus is mainly on isoprenoids and terpene products using the new synthetic isopentenol utilization pathway. Products of interest include carotenoids like astaxanthin or other potentially anti-viral isoprenoids. Host organisms used include E. coli and the eukaryotic microalgae Chlorella vulgaris.

Ionic liquids are salts with low melting points. Because of their unique properties, they can be used for liquid/liquid extractions in unique ways. We are exploring the use of ILs for extraction and separation of various biological feedstocks including microalgae.

Current methods used to produce microalgae biomass suffer from a number of limitations. In order to bring the overall costs down, the cultivation and downstream processing steps should be designed in an integrated manner. We are explore new types of photobioreactors to address some of these challenges. 

Microalgae are a great food source for colonization of other planets and the moon. However, growing food consistently in a high-radiation environment where shipping water is very expensive is challenging. We are working on novel bioreactor designs to grow food on the moon for future explorers!