
Overview
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
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Liverpool
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, University College London
- Doctor of Philosophy, University College London
Research interests
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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.
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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.
Works
Search Professor Ben Hankamer’s works on UQ eSpace
1998
Journal Article
A common ancestor for photosystems I and II
Rhee, K. H., Morris, E. P., Zheleva, D., Hankamer, B., Kuhibrandt, W. and Barber, J. (1998). A common ancestor for photosystems I and II. Trends in Plant Science, 3 (1)
1998
Conference Publication
Three-dimensional structure of the spinach photosystem II core complex
Nield, J, Orlova, E, Hankamer, B, Dorner, W, Barber, J and van Heel, M (1998). Three-dimensional structure of the spinach photosystem II core complex. 14th International Congress on Electron Microscopy, Cancun Mexico, Aug 31-Sep 04, 1998. BRISTOL: IOP PUBLISHING LTD.
1998
Conference Publication
Cryoelectron microscopy of photosystem two shows that CP43 and CP47 are located on opposite sides of the D1/D2 reaction center proteins
Hankamer, B, Morris, EP and Barber, J (1998). Cryoelectron microscopy of photosystem two shows that CP43 and CP47 are located on opposite sides of the D1/D2 reaction center proteins. XIth International Congress on Photosynthesis - Mechanisms and Effects, Budapest Hungary, Aug 17-22, 1998. DORDRECHT: SPRINGER.
1997
Journal Article
Two-dimensional structure of plant photosystem II at 8-angstrom resolution
Rhee, KH, Morris, EP, Zheleva, D, Hankamer, B, Kuhlbrandt, W and Barber, J (1997). Two-dimensional structure of plant photosystem II at 8-angstrom resolution. Nature, 389 (6650), 522-526. doi: 10.1038/39103
1997
Journal Article
The three-dimensional structure of a photosystem II core complex determined by electron crystallography
Morris, EP, Hankamer, B, Zheleva, D, Friso, G and Barber, J (1997). The three-dimensional structure of a photosystem II core complex determined by electron crystallography. Structure, 5 (6), 837-849. doi: 10.1016/S0969-2126(97)00237-2
1997
Journal Article
Isolation and biochemical characterisation of monomeric and dimeric photosystem II complexes from spinach and their relevance to the organisation of photosystem II in vivo
Hankamer, B, Nield, J, Zheleva, D, Boekema, E, Jansson, S and Barber, J (1997). Isolation and biochemical characterisation of monomeric and dimeric photosystem II complexes from spinach and their relevance to the organisation of photosystem II in vivo. European Journal of Biochemistry, 243 (1-2), 422-429. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1997.0422a.x
1997
Journal Article
Structure and membrane organization of photosystem II in green plants
Hankamer, B, Barber, J and Boekema, EJ (1997). Structure and membrane organization of photosystem II in green plants. Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology, 48 (1), 641-671. doi: 10.1146/annurev.arplant.48.1.641
1997
Journal Article
The structure, function and dynamics of photosystem two
Barber, J, Nield, J, Morris, EP, Zheleva, D and Hankamer, B (1997). The structure, function and dynamics of photosystem two. Physiologia Plantarum, 100 (4), 817-827. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-3054.1997.1000408.x
1996
Journal Article
Heterogeneity and pigment composition of isolated photosystem II reaction centers
Zheleva, D, Hankamer, B and Barber, J (1996). Heterogeneity and pigment composition of isolated photosystem II reaction centers. Biochemistry, 35 (47), 15074-15079. doi: 10.1021/bi961382h
1996
Conference Publication
Localization of the oxygen evolving complex of Photosystem II by electron microscopy
Boekema, EJ, Nield, J, Hankamer, B and Barber, J (1996). Localization of the oxygen evolving complex of Photosystem II by electron microscopy. OXFORD: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD.
1995
Journal Article
Supramolecular structure of the photosystem II complex from green plants and cyanobacteria
Boekema, EJ, Hankamer, B, Bald, D, Kruip, J, Nield, J, Boonstra, AF, Barber, J and Rogner, M (1995). Supramolecular structure of the photosystem II complex from green plants and cyanobacteria. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 92 (1), 175-179. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.1.175
1995
Conference Publication
Determination of the complex homogeneity and pigment stoichiometry of isolated PS II reaction centres
Zheleva, D, Vacha, F, Hankamer, B, Telfer, A and Barber, J (1995). Determination of the complex homogeneity and pigment stoichiometry of isolated PS II reaction centres. Xth International Photosynthesis Congress, Montpellier France, Aug 20-25, 1995. DORDRECHT: KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL.
1995
Conference Publication
Localization of subunits in PS1, PS2 and in a PS2 light-harvesting-supercomplex
Kruip, J, Bald, D, Hankamer, B, Nield, J, Boonstra, AF, Barber, J, Boekema, EJ and Rogner, M (1995). Localization of subunits in PS1, PS2 and in a PS2 light-harvesting-supercomplex. Xth International Photosynthesis Congress, Montpellier France, Aug 20-25, 1995. DORDRECHT: TRANS TECH PUBLICATIONS LTD.
1995
Conference Publication
Biochemical characterisation of LHCII-PSII complexes associated with and lacking the 33kD subunit
Nield, J, Hankamer, B, Zheleva, D, Hodges, ML, Boekema, EJ and Barber, J (1995). Biochemical characterisation of LHCII-PSII complexes associated with and lacking the 33kD subunit. Xth International Photosynthesis Congress, Montpellier France, Aug 20-25, 1995. DORDRECHT: KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL.
1995
Conference Publication
Photosystem II structure investigated by electron microscopy and single-particle averaging
Boekema, EJ, Hankamer, B, Nield, J and Barber, J (1995). Photosystem II structure investigated by electron microscopy and single-particle averaging. Xth International Photosynthesis Congress, Montpellier France, Aug 20-25, 1995. DORDRECHT: KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL.
1995
Conference Publication
Biochemical characterisation and structural analysis of monomeric and dimeric photosystem II core preparations
Hankamer, B, Morris, E, Zheleva, D and Barber, J (1995). Biochemical characterisation and structural analysis of monomeric and dimeric photosystem II core preparations. Xth International Photosynthesis Congress, Montpellier France, Aug 20-25, 1995. DORDRECHT: KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL.
1995
Conference Publication
Investigating the protective role of phosphorylation for PSII complexes
Kruse, O, Zheleva, D, Hankamer, B and Barber, J (1995). Investigating the protective role of phosphorylation for PSII complexes. Xth International Photosynthesis Congress, Montpellier France, Aug 20-25, 1995. DORDRECHT: KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL.
1994
Conference Publication
Photosystem II structure investigated by TEM and A-periodic averaging
Boekema, EJ, Boonstra, AF, Hankamer, B, Nield, J, Barber, J, Bald, D, Kruip, J and Rogner, M (1994). Photosystem II structure investigated by TEM and A-periodic averaging. 13th International Congress on Electron Microscopy, Paris France, Jul 17-22, 1994. LES ULIS: EDITIONS PHYSIQUE.
1990
Journal Article
Hydroxyproline and proline content of cell walls of sunflower, peanut and cotton grown under salt stress
Golangoldhirsh, A, Hankamer, B and Lips, SH (1990). Hydroxyproline and proline content of cell walls of sunflower, peanut and cotton grown under salt stress. Plant Science, 69 (1), 27-32. doi: 10.1016/0168-9452(90)90101-S
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Ben Hankamer is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Cryo-EM studies of Photosystem II mutants
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
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Pipeline Development for Algae as a Viable Sustainable Dietary Protein Source to Support Human Nutrition
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Structure-guided optimisation of light-driven biomanufacture
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross, Dr Farrah Blades
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Doctor Philosophy
Structure-guided optimisation of light-driven microalgae cell factories
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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Doctor Philosophy
Digital simulation and model guided optimisation of light driven cell factories
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Marcus Gallagher, Dr Juliane Wolf
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Doctor Philosophy
Pipeline Development for Algae as a Viable Sustainable Dietary Protein Source to Support Human Nutrition
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Light-driven biocatalytic cell factories
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross, Professor Gary Schenk
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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
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Optimisation of microalgae-based fertiliser and plant bio-stimulants
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Juliane Wolf
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Doctor Philosophy
Coupling of P450 ancestors with the photosynthetic machinery of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for light-driven biocatalysis in vitro
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross, Professor Elizabeth Gillam
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Doctor Philosophy
Closed Greenhouse Indoors Climate Simulation and Control
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Juliane Wolf, Emeritus Professor Hal Gurgenci
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated analyses of biomass production and pigment accumulation in cyanobacteria and microalgae
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Juliane Wolf
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Solar-Driven P450 Biocatalysis: Tapping Photosynthetic Electrons to Power the Synthesis of High-Value Fine Chemicals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross, Dr Melanie Oey
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Modelling microalgae based production of recombinant proteins under different scenarios
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross, Dr Melanie Oey
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Generation and characterisation of CRISPR - mediated LHCBM - Knockout Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strains
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Techno-economic and life cycle analysis of multi-product microalgae biorefineries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The development of green microalgae as a biofertiliser and biostimulant to improve Spinacia oleracea crop quality and yield.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt, Dr Juliane Wolf
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Bioengineering high efficiency solar driven hydrogen production in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Analysis and optimisation of chloroplast recombinant protein expression in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Optimising microalgae production efficiency and key process parameters: light, nutrients and growth systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Juliane Wolf
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Combined Techno-economic and Lifecycle Analysis of Renewable Fuel Production Systems
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Biophysical and Structural Studies of Escherichia coli Mechanosensitive Channel of Large Conductance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Developing 3D novel edge detection and particle picking tools for electron tomography
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Photosynthesis of microalgae in outdoor mass cultures and modelling its effects on biomass productivity for fuels, feeds and chemicals.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Enhanced microalgae growth and lipid production: A study of cytostatic inhibitors and glycerol assimilation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Scale-up cultivation of Australian algae New approaches to isolation, mid-scale cultivation and harvesting of Australian wild type algal strains
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross, Dr Melanie Oey
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Effective Scale Up of Microalgal Systems for the Production of Biomass and Biofuels
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Cryopreservation, culture recovery and glucose induced Programmed cell death in Chlorophyte microalgae
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Developing automated high-throughput microalgal nutrient screening system
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Multiple, Object-Oriented Segmentation Methods of Mammalian Cell Tomograms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Novel Nanovalves for Liposomal Drug Delivery Based on Bacterial Mechanosensitive Channel of Large Conductance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of light harvesting complex gene expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring New Strategies For A More Accurate Estimation Of Microalgae Growth Rate And Light Harvesting Complexes Antennae Size
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Multiscale analysis and optimisation of photosynthetic solar energy systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg, Professor Tom Stace
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Developing metabolic fingerprinting strategies to decipher algal hydrogen production.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Commercialisation and Development of Integrated Microalgal Production Systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Enhanced Filter Algorithms And Application Of Single Particle Analysis To The Study Of Ovine Atadenovirus
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
ADVANCED ALGORITHMS, SOFTWARE AND APPLICATIONS IN SINGLE PARTICLE ANALYSIS
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Coupling of P450 ancestors with the photosynthetic machinery of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for light-driven biocatalysis in vitro
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Ross, Professor Elizabeth Gillam
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Structural characterisation of the eukaryotic CAD multienzyme complex
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg, Dr Ian Ross, Professor Bostjan Kobe
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Structural characterisation of macromolecular complexes by cryo-electron microscopy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Landsberg
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Media
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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