Science - October 31, 2009

Collaboration with Japan on algae

Wageningen UR wants to work with Japanese universities and companies on generating knowledge about algae and seaweed.

A lot of knowledge on algae and seaweed was gained in Japan in the nineteen nineties, says Rene Wijffels, professor of Bioprocess technology. Marion van Es, student of Biotechnology, is currently doing an internship in Japan to take stock of the knowledge there. 'We want to use this overview to set up a solid collaboration', says Wijffels.
He is currently working in Wageningen on a trial reactor for generating energy from algae. His colleague Willem Brandenburg from the Plant Sciences Group is working on the use of seaweed for biodiesel and for food ingredients. Wijffels and Brandenburg were in Japan last week to attend and speak at a seminar about aquatic biomass. They also signed a cooperation agreement with the university of Tsukuba.  
More on Brandenburg's research project and Wijffels' plans .