Algae Biomass Summit Features Latest Innovation in Algal Biology Research and Algal Systems Ecology

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Aug 26, 2015) - The 9^th Annual Algae Biomass Summit, taking place in Washington, DC, September 29^th - October 2^nd will showcase more than 30 oral presentations by leading research scientists and experts from universities, companies and several national laboratories in its Progress in Algal Biology and Algal Systems Ecology tracks. The sessions will inform technical audiences about the latest algae strain improvement methods involving 'omics' and genetic manipulation, and growth and cultivation methods that are making possible the wide-scale commercial production of algae-based products.

"The importance of the innovations in biological research as well as in algal systems ecology that will be on display at this year's Summit cannot be understated," said Al Darzins, Program Chair for the Algae Biomass Summit. "Summit attendees will be directly engaged in discussions about the latest biologically-related research and the potential for new breakthroughs in systems ecology to influence markets for algae-derived products such as food, feed, and fuel, as well as services such as wastewater treatment and carbon capture."

A few of the leading speakers and presentations in the Progress in Algal Biology track include:

• Dan Robertson, Joule Unlimited
  Biomass as Photobiocatalyst: Direct Production of Drop-In Fuels By Engineered Cyanobacteria
• Huiya Gu, Colorado School of Mines
  Nitrogen Recycling from Fuel-Extracted Algal Biomass: Residuals as the Sole Nitrogen Source for Culturing Scenedesmus acutus
• Sarah Smith, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
  Resolving Gene Regulatory Networks for Next Generation Strain Engineering
• Todd Lane, Sandia National Labs
  Economic Feasibility and Life Cycle Impact of a Turf-Scrubber Based Biorefinery
  
  

A few of the leading speakers and presentations in the Algal Systems Ecology track include:

• Alexander Beliaev, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
  Synthetic Biology Platform for Building Self-Sustained Scalable Algal Consortia
• Laura Carney, Heliae Development
  Contamination Control for a Multi-Platform Algae Commercial Strategy
• Tisza Bell, Montana State University
  Can Ecology Provide Insight for Algal Lipid Accumulation Strategies in Open Systems?
• Anthony Siccardi, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
  A Comparison of Struvite and Traditionally Used Nutrients in 90-Day, Semi-Continuous, Mixed Population Trials in Outdoor Raceways
  
  

The combined Progress in Algal Biology and Algal Systems Ecology tracks represent one of four main technical tracks, plus plenary sessions and poster presentations, which comprise the agenda for the Algae Biomass Summit, the largest algae conference in the world. In total, there will be more than 100 live presentations during the Summit. In addition to being the headquarters of the Algae Biomass Organization, Washington, DC is a major hub for both the investment and policies that will influence the future of this growing industry.

The Summit comes to Washington, DC at a time when the industry is seeing more algae companies successfully moving their laboratory breakthroughs into the marketplace. Many companies are making new algae-derived products available to consumers or opening large-scale demonstration and pre-commercial facilities, with expectations for expansion in the future. ABO members are also ramping up outreach to national and state policymakers as they advocate for extended advanced biofuels tax credits, aggressive research and development, and strong support for Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create valuable products. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the US algae Industry, produces the Algae Biomass Summit. More information about the Summit can be found at www.algaebiomasssummit.org.

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website: www.algaebiomass.org.