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Announcements - Congress To Showcase Algae Innovation
June 16, 2011 — Halifax, Nova Scotia
HALIFAX, 16 JUNE: World experts will share the latest discoveries in the emerging, billion-dollar algae innovation industry next week in Halifax at the 4th Congress of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP).
Algae researchers, entrepreneurs, marketers, manufacturers and policy makers from more than 30 countries, representing more than 114 diverse organizations, will present the latest developments in this blooming field.
Potential commercial applications from seaweeds and microalgae include biodiesel, medicine, food supplements, cosmetics, horticulture, aquaculture and environmental technologies – to name a few.
A vast amount of algal biodiversity is waiting to be discovered in our oceans, aquatic ecosystems and rainforests. And research is revealing an astonishing range of potential commercial applications from those discoveries. Congress delegates will learn:
Recent developments in this emerging, billion dollar industry: the race to make commercially viable biofuel from algae, while capturing carbon and offering a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
- Preliminary findings suggesting that consumption of seaweed in Japan could help delay the onset of AIDS symptoms.
- A green seaweed from Ireland containing natural antibacterial chemicals that could be used to fight the hospital super-bug, golden staph (Staphylococcus aureus / MRSA).
- Spirulina algae strains containing plant-based insulin, which could be commercialized to treat diabetes.
- Health benefits in livestock fed an algae nutritional supplement include protection against disease.
- Learn how seaweed extracts can be used to improve the profitability of horticulture industries.
- Latest advances using algae to clean up wastewater – naturally.
The international Congress will be held in Canada’s algae research capital, Halifax, from 19-24 June and is co-hosted by the National Research Council of Canada(NRC).
More information
Website of the 4th Congress of the International Society for Applied Phycology
http://www.isap2011-halifax.org/001-welcome_e.shtml
NRC’s strategy to commercialize mass production of biofuel from algae
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/news/nrc/2010/06/04/biofuels.html
Aviation interests focus on biofuels
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/news/imb/2011/01/17/aviation,biofuels.html
NRC media relations
Phone: 613-991-1431
Email: media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
