A*STAR ICES establishes facility for catalysis and materials sciences research at National University of Singapore
Exide Technologies launches NorthStar Pure Lead AGM Battery

Univ. of Montana launches partnership with Blue Marble for commercial products from algal biomass

Two geoscience faculty members at The University of Montana (UM) have started a partnership with Blue Marble Biomaterials to produce commercial products from algal biomass.

Potential products include organic fertilizers, natural pigments, food flavorings, fatty acids for biofuels, cholesterol-reducing compounds for food additives, and natural anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs. Natural inputs and nontoxic production methods will give potential products a competitive advantage over similar products produced from petroleum and other nonrenewable sources.

Carrine Blank, a research assistant professor in UM’s geosciences department, and Nancy Hinman, a geosciences professor, are working on the project with Blue Marble Biomaterials. Blue Marble uses novel bacterial consortia to produce specialty biochemicals from the anaerobic fermentation of a range of biomass feedstocks. (Earlier post.)

The company was founded by Kelly Ogilvie and James Stephens, a UM alum. Stephens, also the company’s chief science officer, leads Blue Marble’s role in the collaborative effort, which largely takes place in the company’s biorefinery near the Missoula airport.

Our goal will be to tap into Blue Marble’s carbon dioxide waste stream and then turn that CO2 into algal biomass. We will then work together to harvest commercial products from that biomass

—Carrine Blank

Blank said the diverse collection of patent-pending cyanobacterial and microalgal strains they work with derive from a number of regional waters, including Puget Sound, Washington’s Soap Lake, and local rivers and lakes in Montana. Additional strains come from soil.

Blank said she and Hinman are working to publish a paper about the research being used with the UM/Blue Marble partnership.

Stephens says UM’s favorable attitude toward industry partnerships was one factor in the decision to move the company from Seattle to Missoula in 2010.

Partnering with UM is key to our research and development program. Innovation happens at the nexus of science and market opportunity. This partnership combines Blue Marble’s expertise in chemistry, microbiology and industrial manufacturing with the University’s excellence in research methodology, geoscience and biology. By combining these strengths, we are able to take advantage of an existing market opportunity.

—James Stephens

Blank notes that such industry partnerships also offer educational opportunities for UM students. Since 2010 Blue Marble has hired six UM graduates, including four students from the College of Technology. Currently, Blue Marble hosts five interns from UM who gain broad experience in biology, chemistry, engineering and business operations.

Comments

kelly

" turn that CO2 into algal biomass." - best wishes

Reel$$

kelly, this has been the design for a long time. Originally they were going to tap coal-fired power plant CO2 streams to feed algae. It is the world's best plant food - in spite of what the gloomers say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsOL5nWkn1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPNiBVU2QIA

The comments to this entry are closed.