Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #205:The development of a polar-based bioreactor for the production of bioactive compounds by indigenous micro-algae and cyanobacteria.  (POLARPRODS)

Outline
Recent aquatic research on polar cyanobacteria and algae suggests these micro-algae have considerable potential for large-scale production of valuable bioproducts (BIOPRODs; e.g. antibiotics, antioxidants, insecticides, anti-carcinogens). This merits intensive international study, because: I) Evidence suggests that these taxa have evolved physiological, biochemical and molecular adaptations to harsh polar climate and light regimes which include periods of continuous light or dark, and high total and UV irradiance. In many cases, such adaptations appear to involve potent bioactive molecules which function in cell integrity, metabolism and chemical ecology (e.g. carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polysaccharides, peptides). Yet this has been overlooked in the search for BIOPRODs, with current focus on non-polar taxa. 2). Micro-algae offer a major advantage in polar regions because they can be cultured rapidly for mass production. To develop this capacity, however, first requires i) species identification, isolation, biochemical, toxin and genetic screening, bioassays; ii) optimization of (laboratory, field) growth conditions; ii) access to multiple field sites (maximal selection of algal taxa), and accessible laboratory facilities; iii) expertise in micro-algal genetics, biochemistry, taxonomy, laboratory/mass culture and ecology represented by our research team. 3) Extreme polar conditions provide an opportunity to test important physiological parameters. Growth inhibition/ limitation by polar light regimes can be mitigated by: (i) increased population density (self shading); (ii) mixing; (iii) specially designed photo-bioreactors to improve light utilisation; (iv) solar panels to store excess solar energy. 3). In warmer regions, micro-algal mass cultivation for food remains economically inferior to conventional crops. Nevertheless, micro-algae have a major potential application in polar regions for the production of food (human, fish/animal) and BIOPRODs, since biomass can be generated rapidly using indigenous, locally adapted species 4). Micro-algae are key to wastewater systems which remove nutrients and contaminants and have been applied to bioremediation sites in arctic Canada. It may be possible to integrate bioreactors into infrastructure/wastewater from existing and future polar townsites and industries, both exploiting and potentially reducing point-source anthropogenic nutrient influxes. Key objectives: 1. Select polar microalgal taxa for potential for bioactive compounds. 2. Isolate, identify and characterize compounds; establish database 3. Design and construct a photobioreactor to optimise energy/nutrient utilisation, cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. Test at Canadian, Italian, Czech and Indian polar bases. 4. Develop database of optimum lab/field growth requirements of polar microalgal strains. 5. Develop large-scale microalgal production of bioactive compound(s) in controlled photobioreactors in polar regions, where possible, employing local infrastructure and operators. ahitherto collectively referred to as micro-algae

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
We propose an innovative means to develop bioreactors with the potential for development as local industry in bipolar regions. This would use environmentally sustainable technology to cultivate indigenous (i.e. native), locally-adapted micro- algal flora which offer a rich source of food and BIOPRODs. The project will develop innovative field mass culture units which aim to optimize light energy utilization and minimize environmental impact, potentially integrating with existing polar infrastructure and associated nutrient and energy sources. The project will also establish or add to valuable biogeographical, taxonomic, physiological, biochemical and genetic parameters for polar micro-algae.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The team will involve collaboration among Canada, Italy, India, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and potentially other nations. A web site, with links to all academic, university and industrial partners will raise individual establishment profiles and highlight ecological benefits. Therefore the partnership as a whole will serve a very real informative and educational role, which will enable them to develop academic and commercial profiles whilst increasing market awareness in both domestic and commercial fields.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Italian group will organise studies at the Mario Zucchelli Station (M. Z. S.), ex Terra Nova Bay, and at the station in NY-Alesund (Svalbard). The Canadian group will coordinate this with bases in the Canadian Arctic - Eureka, Alexandra Fjord. etc. The Czech Republic group will organise activities at the James Ross Station The Indian group will provide access to the Indian Antarctic station We have ~330 polar micro-algal strains in our Czech and Canadian (W. Vincent, University of Laval) collections for the initial work to study their characteristics and develop the bioreactors. We will isolate new strains from sites where bioreactors will be located. Field experiments will use

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: June to August 2007      June to August 2008      
Antarctic: October 2007 -February 2008       October 2007 – February 2008      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
As the approach is aimed at designing photo-bioreactors suitable to polar climatic conditions, local logistic and experimental support by technicians available in bases will be important. As noted above, wherever possible, the bioreactor should be developed to integrate with existing polar infrastructure and nutrient/energy sources. Local transportation to these existing sites is already established and thus can be accessed by the project.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will establish an important knowledge-base of indigenous taxa and their genetic, biochemical and physiological characteristics, and provide a working prototype of a bioreactor suited to local conditions. It is hoped that this will leave a minimal amount of superfluous infrastructure, and that instead, these reactors can be developed as integral to existing residential and industrial infrastructure. It is hoped that these units will be further developed as viable industries for local community growth.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The evolution of this international co-operation in polar regions has been endorsed or is under consideration at national levels by the PNRA (Italian National program of Antarctic Research, under the Ministry of Education, and associated organizations), the Czech National Research Grant Agency, the Czech Ministry of Education and Environment Canada. This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: THEME: Education, Outreach & Communication SUB-THEME: Geoscience and new technologies/challenges for sustainable development

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
yes

In principle, this project is continuation of existing research studies conducted recently and in the past by members of the team. The exploitation of bio-active metabolites is a new and innovative proposal, as is the biotechnology of outdoor studies with polar phototrophic strains.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be co-ordinated by Canadian colleagues. The laboratory trials will be carried out in the different bases and it is hoped to effect field trials in the Italian and Indian bases in Antarctic, and the new Czech Republic base opening in Antarctic (James Ross Island) . India does not have a polar base but the Canadian Arctic research stations and the Italian Ny-Alesund (Svalbard) could provide strong support. There will be a network of contact with other units to conduct other studies.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
A BIOPOLAR web site, with links to all academic, university and industrial partners, together with the generation of the new process and products will raise individual establishment profiles and highlight ecological benefits. Therefore the partnership as a whole will have a very real informative and educational opportunity, which will enable them to gain advantage, to assist academic and commercial profiles whilst increasing market awareness in both domestic and commercial fields.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
We will establish strains database where all information on single strains will be recorded. Such a database was established in a recent EU project in which Dr. Elster participated (see references under his name). Similar large databases are established at Environment Canada. We anticipate integrating our data into large databases such as the Italian data base SCAR-PNRA

How is it proposed to fund the project?
A minor part of the funds required could be obtained through national funding agencies, but this project needs sufficient funds to cover the development of the photobioreactor design suitable to polar regions, hence help from international agencies is warranted. Success of the project will have greater trans-national impact than any individual national research project. Consequently it will be able to utilise experience from a wide range of countries, academic institutions and industries. The academic partners bring to the project experience in the research of different applications not only within their own individual fields of expertise but throughout their individual university and network of associates. Consequently the work Themes identified in the BIOPOLAR project are intended to represent co-ordinated, not duplicated research.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
We are fortunate to have Dr. W. Vincent (Laval University, Que. Canada) as an advisor to our team, who is well established as a leading expert in polar research. Extensive expertise is also available in the institutes of the individual team members. Environment Canada has an excellent technical staff that is trained to operate in arctic field sites.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr  Susan Boyd Watson
National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada
867 Lakeshore Rd
Burlington, ON
L7R 4A6
Canada

Tel: 905-336-4759
Mobile: no
Fax: 905-336-6430
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation