Symposium

Nordic Algae Symposium

Dato/tid

Onsdag 14. oktober 2026 kl: 08.00 - 21.30

Torsdag 15. oktober 2026 kl: 08.30 - 17.00

Sted

Bergen

Pris

Registration fee includes: lunch, reception and dinner for day 1 and lunch and site visits for day 2. Please let us know in the registration form which activities you plan to attend. Deadline Early bird: 8 September.

Registration fees (in NOK, including MVA):

Academic: 4500,- (Early bird) / 5750,-
Student: 3250,- (Early bird) / 4500,-
Industry: 4500,-(Early bird) / 5750,-

The fee does not include accommodation. Discount booking codes will be provided for these hotels once your registration is finished:

MOXY BERGEN Solheimsgaten 3, 5058 Bergen
SCANDIC ØRNEN Lars Hilles gate 18, 5008 Bergen

Arrangør

NORCE

We are pleased to announce that the Nordic Algae Symposium 2026 (NAS2026) will be held on October 14-15 in Bergen, Norway. This conference aims to bring together researchers, professionals, and experts in the field of algae physiology and biotechnology to share their knowledge, insights, and advancements.

Algae play a central role in advancing sustainable biological systems, from ecosystems to bio-based production systems, and the conference explores this across fundamental and applied research. Key topics include the molecular processes that govern algal growth, productivity, and resilience, as well as the development of novel methods to monitor, cultivate, and optimize algal systems. The conference also explores emerging algae‑based solutions within the circular bioeconomy, including both the production of bio‑based products and applications in bioremediation.

By bridging fundamental research and applied perspectives, the conference aims to foster dialogue between academia and industry, supporting the translation of algal science into scalable and sustainable applications.

Venues and program
14 October - presentations. Venue: Vil Vite, Thormøhlens gate 51, Bergen
15 October - presentations and site visits. Venue: NORCE Research, Nygårdsgaten 112, Bergen

Download full program

Onsdag 14. oktober

08.00 - 09.00

Registration, poster and exhibition space open

09.00 - 09.10

Welcome

09.10 - 10.35

Session 1: Algal physiology and ecology
Chair Kyle Mayers

0910-0930 Keynote: Christiane Funk - Chlorophyte Cell Walls: Unlocking Their Potential for Sustainable Bioremediation

0930-0950 Keynote: Nerea Johanna Aalto - Arctic marine diatoms and microbiomes in large-scale cultivation systems

0950-1005 Richardson, L: Dynamics of Glacier Blood: Cryogen-free meta-omics of highly pigmented extremophile algae from the Swiss Alps

1005-1020 Nag, B: Decoding TOR kinase inhibition: Unraveling autophagic mechanisms and metabolic rewiring in Parachlorella kessleri

1020-1035 Semple, A: Engineering synthetic phycospheres for paracetamol mineralisation using microalgae as a biosensor

10.35 - 11.00

Coffee & networking break

11.00 - 12.35

Session 2: Algal biotechnology - Novel methods and processes
Chair Anita Santana-Sanchez

1100-1120 Keynote: Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne - Solar butanol production by solid-state photosynthetic cell factories

1120-1150 Keynote: Anita Santana-Sanchez - Discover, understand, engineer: Integrating random mutagenesis and genome editing for industrial microalgal strain development

1150-1205 Howard, JD: Developing microfluidic screening of algal-bacterial consortia & other tools towards making soil bioremediation a reality

1205-1220 Cachay-Morante, J: Exploring Nannochloropsis oceanica as a host for the expression of olivetolic acid biosynthetic pathway

1220-1235 Wood, E: Development of acid-tolerant Chlorella spp. and cold-tolerant Limnospira spp. (Spirulina) for resilient industrial cultivation

12.35 - 13.35

Lunch & networking break

13.35 - 15.00

Session 3: Algae in the circular bioeconomy
Chair: Pia Steinrücken

1335-1355 Keynote: Pia Steinrücken - INNOAQUA: Integrating salmon and microalgae cultivation at pilot scale

1355-1415 Keynote: Margarida Costa - LOCALITY: Coupling waste-stream valorization with microalgae cultivation for nature-positive, circular products

1415-1430 Medic, N: Microalgal biomanufacturing for defence and resilience: from the International Space Station to a strategic logistics capability for the NATO alliance

1430-1445 Spetea, C: Valorising salmon RAS water through laboratory screening of marine microalgae

1445-1500 Di, X: Leveraging industrial symbiosis for microalgae production: strain selection and upscaled growth on Norwegian seafood-processing side streams

15.00 - 15.30

Coffee & networking break

15.30 - 17.00

Session 4: Biorefinery & algae-based products
Chair: Dorinde Kleinegris

1530-1550 Keynote: Øystein Arlov - Future materials from large-scale processing of sustainable brown algae resources

1550-1610 Keynote: Marialena Kokkali - Beyond extraction: From algal biorefinery to fish performance

1610-1616 Sponsor pitches

1616-1700 Panel debate

18.30 - 19.30

In Nygårdsgaten 114: Poster session/industry exhibition & reception

19.30 - 21.30

Conference dinner

Torsdag 15. oktober

08.00 - 08.30

Registration

08.30 - 10.00

Session 5: Selected presentations of all session topics
Chair: Hanna Böpple

0830 – 0845 Vinagre, F: Integrating diatom valorisation: sequential deep eutectic solvent recovery of frustules and bioactive compounds

0845 – 0915 Sirvanlioglu, B: Catalytic membrane technology to convert microalgae in growth medium into biofuels

0915 – 0930 Villaró-Cos, S: Sustainable production and valorisation of Porphyridium cruentum for functional food and agricultural applications

0930 – 0945 Lia: Microalgae-assisted resource recovery and biomass production from Finnish dairy side-streams

0945 – 1000 Lafarga, T: Sustainable pilot-scale cultivation and valorisation of seawater-adapted Chlorella sorokiniana for functional food applications

10.00 - 10.30

Coffee & networking break

10.30 - 11.30

Session 6: Selected presentations of all session topics
Chair: Anders Gjendemsjø

1030 – 1045 Rautenberger: Environmental Drivers of Phlorotannin Variability in the Macroalga Alaria esculenta (Phaeophyceae)

1045 – 1100 Dodampe Gamage, KS: Environmental and Carbon Performance of Sargassum-based Bio-construction Materials: A Screening Life Cycle Assessment of Alternative Valorization Pathways

1100 – 1115 Seeman, S: Cyanobacterial carbon capture at inhibitory high CO2 concentrations

1115 – 1130 Bonnefond, H: The power of Dynamical Darwinian Selection to enhance strain performance

11.30 - 12.15

Lunch & networking break

12.15 - 12.30

Award ceremony Best Oral & Poster presentations

12.30 - 17.30

Site visits (Lerøy Ocean Harvest / National Algaepilot Mongstad)

We are thrilled to extend an invitation to you for an exclusive site visit to the National Algaepilot Mongstad. Experience first-hand our cutting-edge pilot-scale research facilities and learn about our groundbreaking research in microalgae cultivation and their applications in aquaculture. This winter we are celebrating our 10^th anniversary!!

About the National Algaepilot Mongstad: The National Algaepilot Mongstad is a state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to the development and demonstration of sustainable production processes of microalgae (TRL 5-6), as well as for the production of large quantities (100’s of kilos) of microalgal biomass for further testing and development of new products (food, feed, chemicals). For example, in the INNOAQUA project we have produced around 200 kg of microalgal paste of three different microalgae strains that are now tested in a biorefinery approach to extract various ingredients (e.g., omega-3 rich oils, proteins, pigments) that are used for food formulation.

The facility consists of a greenhouse with various types of photobioreactors, and a basic laboratory and office as well as the related infrastructure (water treatment, harvesting equipment) in the annex, and is owned by the University of Bergen, and operated in close collaboration with NORCE. During the visit, you will have the opportunity to tour our facilities, and gain insights into our research initiatives and technological advancements.

The facility is located at industry park Mongstad, approximately one hour north-west from Bergen. We will travel to the facility by bus, leaving at 12h45 from Marineholmen (Thormøhlensgate 55, 5006) in Bergen, back around 17h30.

As part of the conference programme, we invite you to join us for a visit to Ocean Forest. The visit will offer an opportunity to see how ideas around circularity and integrated aquaculture are being translated into practical production systems, and to learn more about the opportunities and challenges of cultivating seaweed and other low-trophic species alongside salmon farming.

About Ocean Forest:
Ocean Forest AS is a joint venture between Lerøy Seafood Group and Bellona, established in 2013 to develop new approaches towards more sustainable and circular aquaculture. The company focuses on the cultivation of low-trophic species such as seaweed and mussels, with the aim of capturing nutrients and CO₂ from the environment around salmon farms and converting them into valuable biomass.

During the visit to the hatchery in Austevoll, we will get an insight into the production of seaweed seedlings, from the early stages of cultivation through to preparing for transfer to sea.

The visit will also provide an opportunity to learn about the practical aspects of seaweed cultivation and the opportunities and challenges of developing integrated aquaculture systems at commercial scale.

The facility is located at Storebø in Austevoll, approximately 1.5 hours south of Bergen, including a 35-minute ferry crossing. We will travel to the site by bus and ferry, departing from Marineholmen (Thormøhlensgate 55, 5006 Bergen) at 12:45 and returning to Bergen at approximately 17:30.

Deadlines

14 August: Abstract submission for oral presentations (see instructions below).
31 August: Decision on oral or poster presentation.
8 September: Early bird registration deadline.
Until all slots are filled: Abstract submission for poster presentations.

If you have any questions, please contact us at: NAS2026@norceresearch.no
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact us.

Gold sponsor

https://www.variconaqua.com/

Silver sponsor

Submitting an abstract

Please use this template. Please keep formatting and submit as a Word file to nas2026@norceresearch.no .

Deadlines and requirements:

An abstract is required for all oral and poster presentations.

All abstracts must be written and submitted in English.

Abstracts for oral presentation must be submitted no later than 14 August.

Abstracts for poster presentation can be submitted until all slots are filled.

Decision on abstract acceptance will be communicated no later than 31 August.

The presenting author is required to register as an active participant no later than the deadline for Early Registration (8 Septemer 2026).

Posters

We recommend size A0, portrait orientation.

Posters will be on display throughout the meeting.

Funded by the European Union

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) or European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.