SafePhaeO3: Data-driven engineering of microalgal biofactories for safe and efficient omega-3 production
Omega-3 oils are essential for a healthy diet. However, current sources—mainly derived from fish oil—are not sustainable. Microalgae offer a promising alternative due to their unique ability to utilize solar energy to produce omega-3 from CO2. SafePhaeO3 aims to create a sustainable production platform for omega-3 oils by developing safe, efficient, and scalable microalgal cell factories.
Despite advancements in genetically engineering microalgae for omega-3 production, industrial adoption remains hindered by safety, regulatory, and socio-environmental concerns about the use of genetically modified (GM) organisms. SafePhaeO3 will address these issues by adopting a Safe-by-Design approach, prioritizing engineering strategies to mitigate risks related to exogenous DNA integration, antibiotic use, unintended leakage, and poor traceability of the GM strains. To ensure that the technologies developed are aligned with industrial needs, SafePhaeO3 will employ a multidisciplinary co-creation approach fostering collaboration among three research/academic institutes (NORCE, NOFIMA, and UiB), three industry partners (Syngens AS, Folvengaard AS and BioSyntech AS), and a consultancy (RethinkFood AS).
In this project, we will improve the omega-3 yield of a Norwegian Phaeodactylum strain using an innovative strain improvement strategy driven by artificial intelligence and comprehensive omics data. To unlock the full potential of microalgae-based omega-3 oils, SafePhaeO3 will validate the industrial readiness of the improved strains, translating lab-scale processes to industrial pilot systems. The success of SafePhaeO3 will establish a versatile platform that accelerates technology transfer from laboratory research to industrial microalgal bioprocessing, fostering industrial adoption and competitiveness.
Project Facts
Status
Active
Duration
01.01.25 - 31.12.28
Location
Bergen
Coordinating Institution
NORCE
