Projet ALFF (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Doctoral Networks
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Algal aquaculture is developing exponentially worldwide, with multiple applications in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Current research in algal biotechnology mostly focuses on metabolite discovery, aquaculture yield improvement and engineering bottlenecks. However, agronomical experience shows that controlling the interaction of land crops with mutualistic or pathogenic microbes is most critical to successful production. Likewise, controlling the microbial flora associated with algae (the 'algal microbiome') is emerging as the biggest biological challenge for their increased usage. Bacteria can control the morphogenesis of algae, while others are indispensable to algal survival. Pathogens are causing devastating diseases, the impact of which worsens with the intensification of aquaculture practices. Thus, the overarching aim of ALFF is to train 15 ESRs (researchers and technologists) within a multinational consortium, whilst bringing a scientific step-change in our understanding of these interactions, leading to the development of superior mass algal cultivation and biocontrol strategies. ALFF tackles: 1) the identification, taxonomy and utilisation of naturally-occurring algal symbionts and pathogens; 2) inter- and intra-species signalling and chemical ecology in aquaculture, natural environment and simplified systems (i.e. axenic cultures +/- symbionts); 3) and harnesses state of the art genomics, molecular, and biochemical techniques to characterise these interactions. A highly interdisciplinary team underpins an ambitious theoretical, field, hands-on training and research program. With the support of high profile institutions, ALFF foresees an exceptionally broad range of dissemination and outreach initiatives to help policy makers and the general public better understand the opportunities and issues relating to the sustainable use of our aquatic freshwater and marine resources, within and beyond the EU.

Mots clés : algal biotechnology, algal aquaculture, pathogen, symbiont, endophyte, biofilm, macroalga, seaweed, microalga

Participants :
- Dokuz Eylül University (Turquie) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (Belgique) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 501120.0 €
- Dynasty biotechnology ltd (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Syngulon (Belgique) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Peters akira (France) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Algoteca de coimbra (Portugal) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Limco international gmbh (Allemagne) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- National University of Ireland (Irlande) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Biomarine (Hong Kong) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Applied maths nv (Belgique) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 167040.0 €
- Université Clermont Auvergne (France) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- University of Ostrava (Rép. Tchèque) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 232422.48 €
- Hortimare bv (Pays-Bas) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Genomia management ltd (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Scottish Association For Marine Science (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 546575.76 €
- A4F-Algafuel (Portugal) (Portugal) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 238356.36 €
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Allemagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 498432.96 €
- University of Konstanz (Allemagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 249216.48 €
- Proviron holding nv (Belgique) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 250560.0 €
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 525751.2 €
- Ciimar-madeira (Portugal) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (Canada) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Ghent University (Belgique) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 501120.0 €
- Ecofuel laboratories sro (Rép. Tchèque) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Dutch Research Council (Pays-Bas) — Partner, organization partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
- Scottish Association For Marine Science (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Marine Scotland (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes publics (hors enseignement & recherche), subvention : 0.0 €
- AlgaPlus (Portugal) (Portugal) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €