The Peder Sather grant program is awarded annually, and supports projects carried out by researchers at UC Berkeley, USA, in collaboration with researchers from eight Norwegian universities.
Gareth Gillard and Thomas Harvey from CIGENE were recently awarded funding via this scheme for their project titled “Secrets of Giant Microalgae Genomes: Sequencing for Novel Pathway Discovery”.
This will be a collaborative project with Dr Igor Grigoriev at UC Berkley, and also involves Dr Line Hansen from NMBU (KBM). The main aim of their work will be to sequence and annotate the genome of the microalgae Crypthecodinium cohnii, which, like many microalgae species, has great untapped potential to meet a range of current challenges in the production of food, feed and fuel. This will involve four interconnected work packages, as shown in the project overview graphic above. For a more detailed description see the full proposal abstract below.
The project kicks off next month (December 2024) and runs for two years until November 2026.
Full proposal abstract:
Microalgae offer a sustainable solution for food, feed, and fuel production, with dinoflagellates showing particular promise due to their versatility and rapid growth. However, limited genomic data hinders their potential for biotechnological applications. This project aims to bridge this gap by sequencing and annotating the genome of Crypthecodinium cohnii, a significant producer of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA. Leveraging advanced sequencing technologies, the project will produce a high-quality reference genome, facilitating the discovery of novel biochemical pathways involved in lipid metabolism. Through growth experiments and gene expression analysis, candidate genes implicated in lipid production will be identified and functionally validated via knock-out experiments. Additionally, efforts will be made to foster collaboration and community building in dinoflagellate genomics. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive understanding of lipid metabolism in C. cohnii, paving the way for enhanced biofuel production strategies. Dissemination of results will occur through publications, conference presentations, and the establishment of resources for future genomic studies. This project serves as a foundational step towards broader genomic exploration and potential future grants for comparative genomics and biotechnological advancements in microalgae.