Professor Ben Hankamer
Professor

Ben Hankamer

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62012
Mobile: 
0434 603 137

Background

Centre for Solar Biotechnology: Prof Ben Hankamer is the founding director of the Solar Biofuels Consortium (2007) and Centre for Solar Biotechnology (2016) which is focused on developing next generation microalgae systems. These systems are designed to tap into the huge energy resource of the sun (>2300x global energy demand) and capture CO2 to produce a wide-range of products. These include solar fuels (e.g. H2 from water, oil, methane and ethanol), foods (e.g. health foods) and high value products (e.g. vaccines produced in algae). Microalgae systems also support important eco-services such as water purification and CO2 sequestration. The Centre is being launched in 2016/2017 and includes approximately 30 teams with skills ranging from genome sequencing through to demonstration systems optimsation and accompanying techno-economis and life cycle analysis. The Centre teams have worked extensively with industry.

Structural Biology: The photosynthetic machinery is the biological interface of microalgae that taps into the huge energy resource of the sun, powers the biosphere and produces the atmospheric oxygen that supports life on Earth. My team uses high resolution single particle analysis and electron tomography to solve the intricate 3D architecture of the photosynthetic machinery to enable structure guided design of high efficiency microalgae cell lines and advanced artificial solar fuel systems.

Availability

Professor Ben Hankamer is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Industrial biotechnology Plant biology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Liverpool
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, University College London
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University College London

Research interests

  • The Structural Biology of Photosynthesis

    Algae cells have evolved over ~3 billion years of natural selection to yield a diverse array of highly efficient, self-assembling, light-responsive membranes. These act as Nature’s solar interfaces, via which plants tap into the power of the sun. These interfaces contain nano-machinery to drive the photosynthetic light reactions which convert light from the sun into food, fuel and atmospheric oxygen to support life on Earth. This photosynthetic machinery is intricately arranged in 3D and has evolved to adjust dynamically (i.e. 4D: 3D & time) to changing light conditions to achieve optimal efficiency of solar energy conversion. Structural biology, in the form of cryo- electron microscopy, electron tomography, and single particle analysis therefore provide critical insights into this process and will increasingly facilitates structure guided design of new solar fuel systems.

  • Micro-algae biotechnology

    Algae tap into the power of the sun (> 2300 x total global energy demand) to produce biomass for CO2 water and nutrients. Consequently microalgae can be used for the following High value foods and pharmaceuticals: To develop algae based systems for the production of foods/nutraceuticals, vaccines, peptide therapeutics, novel antibiotics in algae. Reef protection/Bioremediation: To develop algae based bioremediation technologies (e.g. minimising nutrient runoff to the reef; phytomining). Solar Fuels: To develop economic algae based and bio-inspired solar fuel systems (e.g. solar power H2 from water for fuel cells).

Research impacts

The Challenge: The global economy is valued at ~$114 Tn pa and is powered by the $6 Tn energy sector. 80% of global energy is used as fuels (only ~20% as electricity).

By 2050, expansion of the human population to > 9 billion people and continued global economic growth, will necessitate 50% more energy (International Energy Agency), 70% more food (UN), 50% more fresh water (OECD) and CO2 emissions cuts of 80% (IPCC) to maintain political, social, fuel and climate security.

Microalgae systems sit at the nexus of this challenge. They are rapidly growing microscopic solar driven ‘cell factories’ which can capture sunlight and CO2 and can grow in saline/low grade water to reduce greenhouse gas emission and produce O2, clean water and biomass. Depending on the species and process used, this bimass can yield a wide range of products. At the high value end micoalgae can be used to produce pharmaeutical and health food products such as omega-3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants. As systems and economic efficiencies are improved they can supply much larger commodity markets including renewable fuels as well as bioplastics and ‘green-chemical’ feedstocks.

Australia is uniquely positioned to benefit from such work on tackling the challenge of delivering cost-competitive solar fuel systems. It has vast lands, abundant solar irradiation, saline water resources and excellent infrastructure.

Our parallel structural biology work is focused on generating detailed molecular blueprints of photosynthetic interfaces, refined over 3 billion years of evolution, and to apply these design principles to the development of high-efficiency algal and bio-inspired artificial solar fuel systems at pilot-scale. This will benefit society by reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, and provide the basis for sustainable, long-term economic development.

Search Professor Ben Hankamer’s works on UQ eSpace

160 works between 1990 and 2025
All (160) Journal Article (119) Book Chapter (8) Conference Publication (28) Other Outputs (5)

101 - 120 of 160 works

2008

Conference Publication

Transcriptional profiling of photosynthetic genes during photo-biological hydrogen production in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Schenk, P.M.P., Thomas-Hall, S.R., Nguyen, A.V., Malnoe, A., Timmins, M., Stephens, E., Mussgnug, J.H., Rupprecht, J., Kruse, O. and Hankamer, B. (2008). Transcriptional profiling of photosynthetic genes during photo-biological hydrogen production in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. 17th World Hydrogen Energy Conference, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 15-19 June, 2008. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Australian Institute of Energy.

Transcriptional profiling of photosynthetic genes during photo-biological hydrogen production in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

2007

Journal Article

Bilateral edge filter: Photometrically weighted, discontinuity based edge detection

Pantelic, R., Ericksson, G. B., Hamilton, N. and Hankamer, B. (2007). Bilateral edge filter: Photometrically weighted, discontinuity based edge detection. Journal of Structural Biology, 160 (1), 93-102. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2007.07.005

Bilateral edge filter: Photometrically weighted, discontinuity based edge detection

2007

Conference Publication

Photosynthetic biomass and H2 production by green algae: From bioengineering to bioreactor scale-up

Hankamer, B., Lehr, F., Rupprecht, J., Mussgnug, J. H., Posten, C. and Kruse, O. (2007). Photosynthetic biomass and H2 production by green algae: From bioengineering to bioreactor scale-up. Oxford, U.K.: Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2007.00924.x

Photosynthetic biomass and H2 production by green algae: From bioengineering to bioreactor scale-up

2007

Other Outputs

Labortemperiereinrichtung mit oberseite

Hankamer, B. and Bond, J. (2007). Labortemperiereinrichtung mit oberseite. WO2007031158 A1.

Labortemperiereinrichtung mit oberseite

2007

Journal Article

Engineering photosynthetic light capture: Impacts on improved solar energy to biomass conversion

Mussgnug, Jan H., Thomas-Hall, Skye, Rupprecht, Jens, Foo, Alexander, Klassen, Viktor, McDowall, Alasdair, Schenk, Peer M., Kruse, Olaf and Hankamer, Ben (2007). Engineering photosynthetic light capture: Impacts on improved solar energy to biomass conversion. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 5 (6), 802-814. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2007.00285.x

Engineering photosynthetic light capture: Impacts on improved solar energy to biomass conversion

2007

Conference Publication

Ultrastructure of photosynthesis in green algae mutants

Foo, A. F. W., Hankamer, B. D., Mussgnug, J. H., Rupprecht, J., Kruse, O. and McDowall, A. W. (2007). Ultrastructure of photosynthesis in green algae mutants. In: Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States, (2-3). 5 – 9 August 2007. doi:10.1017/S1431927607072959

Ultrastructure of photosynthesis in green algae mutants

2007

Journal Article

Genetic modification boosts algae hydrogen output

Hankamer B. (2007). Genetic modification boosts algae hydrogen output. Industrial Bioprocessing, 29 (12)

Genetic modification boosts algae hydrogen output

2007

Journal Article

The Laplacian of Gaussian and arbitrary z-crossings approach applied to automated single particle reconstruction

Woolford, D., Hankamer, B. and Ericksson, G. B. (2007). The Laplacian of Gaussian and arbitrary z-crossings approach applied to automated single particle reconstruction. Journal of Structural Biology, 159 (1), 122-134. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2007.03.003

The Laplacian of Gaussian and arbitrary z-crossings approach applied to automated single particle reconstruction

2007

Journal Article

Electron crystallography of membrane proteins

Hankamer, B. (2007). Electron crystallography of membrane proteins. Journal of Structural Biology, 160 (3), 263-264. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2007.11.001

Electron crystallography of membrane proteins

2007

Journal Article

SwarmPS: Rapid, semi-automated single particle selection software

Woolford, D. S., Ericksson, G. B., Rothnagel, R., Muller, D., Landsberg, M. J., Pantelic, R., McDowall, A. W., Pailthorpe, B., Young, P. R., Hankamer, B. and Banks, J. (2007). SwarmPS: Rapid, semi-automated single particle selection software. Journal of Structural Biology, 157 (1), 174-188. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2006.04.006

SwarmPS: Rapid, semi-automated single particle selection software

2007

Conference Publication

The Solar Bio-fuels consortium: Developing advanced bio-fuel production systems

Hankamer, B., Schenk, P., Marx, U., Posten, C. and Kruse, O. (2007). The Solar Bio-fuels consortium: Developing advanced bio-fuel production systems. 14th International Congress of Photosynthesis, Glasgow, Scotland, 22-27 July 2007. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Springer. doi: 10.1007/s11120-007-9197-6

The Solar Bio-fuels consortium: Developing advanced bio-fuel production systems

2007

Journal Article

Functional integration of the HUP1 hexose symporter gene into the genome of C. reinhardtii: Impacts on biological H2 production

Doebbe, Anja, Rupprecht, Jens, Beckmann, Julia, Mussgnug, Jan H., Hallmann, Armin, Hankamer, Ben and Kruse, Olaf (2007). Functional integration of the HUP1 hexose symporter gene into the genome of C. reinhardtii: Impacts on biological H2 production. Journal of Biotechnology, 131 (1), 27-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2007.05.017

Functional integration of the HUP1 hexose symporter gene into the genome of C. reinhardtii: Impacts on biological H2 production

2007

Journal Article

Symmetry: A guide to its application in 2D electron crystallography

Landsberg, M. J. and Hankamer, B. (2007). Symmetry: A guide to its application in 2D electron crystallography. Journal of Structural Biology, 160 (3), 332-343. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2007.07.002

Symmetry: A guide to its application in 2D electron crystallography

2006

Journal Article

Perspectives and advances of biological H-2 production in microorganisms

Rupprecht, Jens, Hankamer, Ben, Mussgnug, Jan H., Ananyev, Gennady, Dismukes, Charles and Kruse, Olaf (2006). Perspectives and advances of biological H-2 production in microorganisms. Applied Microbiology And Biotechnology, 72 (3), 442-449. doi: 10.1007/s00253-006-0528-x

Perspectives and advances of biological H-2 production in microorganisms

2006

Journal Article

The discriminative bilateral filter: An enhanced denoising filter for electron microscopy data

Pantelic, R. S., Rothnagel, A. R., Huang, C. Y., Muller, D. A., Woolford, D., Landsberg, M. J., McDowall, A. W., Pailthorpe, B., Young, P. R., Banks, J. E., Hankamer, B. and Ericksson, G. B. (2006). The discriminative bilateral filter: An enhanced denoising filter for electron microscopy data. Journal Of Structural Biology, 155 (3), 395-408. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2006.03.030

The discriminative bilateral filter: An enhanced denoising filter for electron microscopy data

2006

Journal Article

A method for screening the temperature dependence of three-dimensional crystal formation

Landsberg, M. J., Bond, J., Gee, C. L., Martin, J. L. and Hankamer, B. (2006). A method for screening the temperature dependence of three-dimensional crystal formation. Acta Crystallographica Section D: Biological Crystallography, 62 (Pt 5), 559-562. doi: 10.1107/s0907444906006093

A method for screening the temperature dependence of three-dimensional crystal formation

2006

Conference Publication

Electron microscopy of "The green yeast"

Foo, A. F. W., Hankamer, B. D., Rupprecht, J., Kruse, O. and McDowall, A. W. (2006). Electron microscopy of "The green yeast". Microscopy and Microanalysis 2006 , Chicago, Il United States, 30 July – 3 August 2006. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S1431927606062465

Electron microscopy of "The green yeast"

2005

Journal Article

Building a research vision: a visible cell takes shape

McDowall, A., Hankamer, B., Rupprecht, J. and Marsh, B. (2005). Building a research vision: a visible cell takes shape. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 11 (S02), 274-275. doi: 10.1017/s1431927605500369

Building a research vision: a visible cell takes shape

2005

Other Outputs

Photosynthetic hydrogen production

Hankamer, B. and Kruse, O. (2005). Photosynthetic hydrogen production. WO/2005/003024.

Photosynthetic hydrogen production

2005

Journal Article

Photosynthesis: A blueprint for solar energy capture and biohydrogen production technologies

Kruse, Olaf, Rupprecht, Jens, Mussgnug, Jan H., Dismukes, G. Charles and Hankamer, Ben (2005). Photosynthesis: A blueprint for solar energy capture and biohydrogen production technologies. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 4 (12), 957-970. doi: 10.1039/b506923h

Photosynthesis: A blueprint for solar energy capture and biohydrogen production technologies

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Robotics & automation for plant-based production of pharmaceutical peptides
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Structure-guided optimisation of light-driven microalgae cell factories
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Enhancing microalgae harvesting and pigment extraction through novel methods: evaluation and optimization for sustainable biotechnological applications (MBCRC PhD Project)
    Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    A novel, portable, low-cost oxygen therapy to improve wound healing using photosynthetic light (2023 RBWH Translational Research Grant administered by RBWH)
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Microalgae cultivation as a low-cost method for desalinating void water and generator of post-mining bioeconomic activity from final voids
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Algae-based technologies for improved environmental outcomes and sustainable post-mining futures (CRC TiME Project administered by CSIRO)
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Greenalgi photobioreactor performance testing
    Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Lean design workshop to understand future challenges for horticulture production in tropical and subtropical regions of Australia
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Light-driven biocatalytic cell factories
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    New therapies requiring ultra large scale monoclonal Ab production in microalgae
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    New generation direct electron detector for cryo-electron microscopy (ARC LIEF project administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    A novel platform for large-scale production of a first-in-class biologic drug for stroke
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    The Integrated Bio-economy Project and the Controlled Biosphere
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Light driven P450: Using Photosynthesis to Power Fine Chemical Production
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Chemical Purification Network
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Automated high resolution & high contrast cryoTEM for 3D structural biology
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Cryoelectron Microscopy Platform for Cellular Structural Biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Optimisation of phototrophic production of microalgae and cyanobacteria
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Media nutrient optimisation
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016
    4D Mass Spectrometer
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Molecular Resolution 3D Atlas of the Photosynthetic Machinery
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Patch-clamp electrophysiology platform for drug and insecticide discovery
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Model guided design of advanced microalgae production systems
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Reaching new heights in high-resolution electron microscopy
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Bioengineering High Efficiency Solar Driven H2 Production
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Life Cycle Analysis of Microalgae Systems
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Dengue virus vaccine production in the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Protein engineering to increase light-to-hydrogen production in algae
    Go8 Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Towards high efficiency biofuel systems: A molecular resolution 3D atlas of the photosynthetic machinery of a high-efficiency green algae cell
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Leachate Algae Treatment Project
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012
    High- throughput Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    High Efficiency Microalgal Biofuel Systems
    Queensland Government Smart State National and International Research Alliances Program
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Advanced solar powered hydrogen production systems based on green algal cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Freedom Evo 150 robotic worktable: Automated high throughput and long-time course spectrophotometric multiwell plate assay system
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    Queensland Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative
    Queensland Government Smart State National and International Research Alliances Program
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Automated liquid handling platform
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Mechanosensitive channels: antimicrobials, channelopathies and nanovalves for drug delivery (NHMRC project grant administered by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute)
    Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Limited
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    The structural biology of light capture: A molecular resolution 3D atlas of the photosynthetic machinery
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    How the SNARE:SM machinery regulates glucose transport in fat cells
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009
    The structural biology and biophysics of light capture: Optimization of high-efficiency microalgae for 2nd generation biofuel systems
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Second generation biofuels: developing environmentally friendly high-efficiency microalgae for biofuel production
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Targeted bioengineering and systems biology for solar powered hydrogen production in green algal cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007
    LINKAGE INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP -- Developing a competitive H2 production system based on engineered cells of green algae
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Development of Bacterial Mechanosensitive Channels as Nanodevices in Liposome Systems for Targeted Drug Delivery
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_Structure-function studies of the respiratory syncytial virus fusion F protein
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant =Tomography upgrade
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Solar powered hydrogen fuel production from water: expression profiling of genes involved in molecular H2 production in green algae
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Structural analysis of membrane proteins using template-mediated crystallization
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Australian Bio-Metals Research Network
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    High resolution single particle analysis of biological macromolecules
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Structural biology of macromolecular assemblies as part of the visual cell program
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Monolayer crystallization of membrane proteins
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Monolayer Crystallization of Membrane Proteins
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Ben Hankamer is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structure-guided optimisation of light-driven microalgae cell factories

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Structure-guided optimisation of light-driven biomanufacture

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross, Dr Farrah Blades

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Enhancing microalgae harvesting and pigment extraction through novel methods: evaluation and optimization for sustainable biotechnological applications

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Juliane Wolf

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Light-driven biocatalytic cell factories

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross, Professor Gary Schenk

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Isolation and purification of microalgae protein and omega-3 fatty acid for food applications

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Juliane Wolf, Dr Ian Ross

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Digital simulation and model guided optimisation of light driven cell factories

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Marcus Gallagher, Dr Juliane Wolf

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cryo-EM studies of Photosystem II mutants

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating protein expression and secretion mechanisms in microalgae with a focus on significantly increasing the production of industrially relevant antibodies

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Regulation of bioenergetic pathways in Clamydomonas reinhardtil: Control of linear and cyclic photosythetic electron transport and its implications on hydrogen production

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Optimisation of microalgae-based fertiliser and plant bio-stimulants

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Juliane Wolf

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Closed Greenhouse Indoors Climate Simulation and Control

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Juliane Wolf, Emeritus Professor Hal Gurgenci

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Ben Hankamer directly for media enquiries about:

  • algae
  • algae biotechnology
  • algae systems
  • algal biofuels
  • biodisesel
  • biofuels
  • Biofuels - microalgae
  • bioreactors
  • biotechnology
  • climate change
  • Crystallography
  • Electron crystallography
  • Electron microscopy
  • Energy - clean
  • hydrogen
  • Life cycle analysis
  • Microalgae biofuels
  • Renewable energy
  • Single particle analysis
  • Solar fuels
  • Structural biology
  • Sustainable energy
  • Techno-economic modelling
  • X-ray crystallography

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