- Algae strain developed and modified by
Synthetic Genomics more than doubled oil production
- Additional research and testing
required before commercial application
- Results published in peer-reviewed
journal Nature Biotechnology
ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics Inc. today announced a
breakthrough in joint research into advanced biofuels involving the
modification of an algae strain that more than doubled its oil
content without significantly inhibiting the strain’s growth.
Using advanced cell engineering technologies at Synthetic
Genomics, the ExxonMobil-Synthetic Genomics research team modified
an algae strain to enhance the algae’s oil content from 20 percent
to more than 40 percent. Results of the research were published
today in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Biotechnology by lead
authors Imad Ajjawi and Eric Moellering of Synthetic Genomics.
Researchers at Synthetic Genomics’ laboratory in La Jolla
discovered a new process for increasing oil production by
identifying a genetic switch that could be fine-tuned to regulate
the conversion of carbon to oil in the algae species,
Nannochloropsis gaditana. The team established a proof-of-concept
approach that resulted in the algae doubling its lipid fraction of
cellular carbon compared to the parent – while sustaining
growth.
“This key milestone in our advanced biofuels program confirms
our belief that algae can be incredibly productive as a renewable
energy source with a corresponding positive contribution to our
environment,” said Vijay Swarup, vice president for research and
development at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company. “Our
work with Synthetic Genomics continues to be an important part of
our broader research into lower-emission technologies to reduce the
risk of climate change.”
“The major inputs for phototropic algae production are sunlight
and carbon dioxide, two resources that are abundant, sustainable
and free,” said Oliver Fetzer, Ph.D., chief executive officer at
Synthetic Genomics. “Discoveries made through our partnership with
ExxonMobil demonstrate how advanced cell engineering capabilities
at Synthetic Genomics can unlock biology to optimize how we use
these resources and create solutions for many of today’s
sustainability challenges – from renewable energy to nutrition and
human health.”
Algae has been regarded as a potential sustainable fuel option,
but researchers have been hindered for the past decade in
developing a strain that is high in oil content and grows quickly –
two critical characteristics for scalable and cost-efficient oil
production. Slower growth has been an adverse effect of previous
attempts to increase algae oil production volume.
A key objective of the ExxonMobil-Synthetic Genomics
collaboration has been to increase the lipid content of algae while
decreasing the starch and protein components without inhibiting the
algae’s growth. Limiting availability of nutrients such as nitrogen
is one way to increase oil production in algae, but it can also
dramatically inhibit or even stop photosynthesis, stunting algae
growth and ultimately the volume of oil produced.
The ability to sustain growth while increasing oil content is an
important advance. Algae has other advantages over traditional
biofuels because it can grow in salt water and thrive in harsh
environmental conditions, therefore limiting stress on food and
fresh water supplies.
Oil from algae can also potentially be processed in conventional
refineries, producing fuels no different from convenient,
energy-dense diesel. Oil produced from algae also holds promise as
a potential feedstock for chemical manufacturing.
“The SGI-ExxonMobil science teams have made significant advances
over the last several years in efforts to optimize lipid production
in algae. This important publication today is evidence of this
work, and we remain convinced that synthetic biology holds crucial
answers to unlocking the potential of algae as a renewable energy
source,” said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Synthetic Genomics co-founder
and chairman. “We look forward to continued work with ExxonMobil so
that eventually we will indeed have a viable alternative energy
source.”
Since 2009, ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics have been partners
in researching and developing oil from algae to be used as a
renewable, lower-emission alternative to traditional transportation
fuels. Swarup said that while the breakthrough is an important
step, the technology is still many years from potentially reaching
the commercial market.
“Advancements as potentially important as this require
significant time and effort, as is the case with any research and
development project,” Swarup said. “Each phase of our algae
research, or any other similar project in the area of advanced
biofuels, requires testing and analysis to confirm that we’re
proceeding down a path toward scale and commercial viability.”
ExxonMobil is engaged in a wide range of research on advanced
biofuels, partnering with universities, government laboratories,
and other companies. Global demand for transportation-related
energy is projected to increase by about 25 percent through 2040,
and accelerating the reduction in emissions from the transportation
sector will play a critical role in reducing global greenhouse gas
emissions.
ExxonMobil is also actively researching other emission-reducing
technologies, including carbon capture and sequestration. In 2016,
ExxonMobil announced its partnership with Connecticut-based
FuelCell Energy, Inc. to advance the use of carbonate fuel cells to
economically capture carbon emissions from power plants while
generating hydrogen and additional electricity. Since 2000,
ExxonMobil has spent about $8 billion to develop and deploy
lower-emission energy solutions across its operations.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Vijay Swarup, Craig Venter and Oliver Fetzer will discuss the
research breakthrough and answer questions during a media briefing
scheduled for 10 a.m. PDT today at the San Diego Convention Center,
located at 111 W. Harbor Drive, in Room 32B on the upper level. The
live briefing and replay may also be accessed online via an
interactive webcast.
About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international energy
company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s
growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading
inventory of resources, is one of the largest refiners and
marketers of petroleum products and its chemical company is one of
the largest in the world. For more information, visit
www.exxonmobil.com or follow us on Twitter
www.twitter.com/exxonmobil.
Cautionary Statement: Statements of
future events or conditions in this release are forward-looking
statements. Actual future results, including the timing, results
and impact of new technologies, could differ significantly
depending on the outcome of further research and testing; the
development and competitiveness of alternative technologies; the
ability to develop and scale pilot projects on a cost-effective
basis; political and regulatory developments; and other factors
discussed in this release and under the heading “Factors Affecting
Future Results” on the Investors page of ExxonMobil’s website at
exxonmobil.com.
About Synthetic Genomics
Synthetic Genomics is programming the operating system of life
to create sustainable solutions for humankind’s most pressing
issues, from the wellbeing of our population to the health of our
planet. With an unmatched understanding of how DNA drives the
function of cells — the basic biological units of all living
organisms — Synthetic Genomics modifies and writes genomes to
enable transformative products in the areas of vaccines, medicines,
nutrition, and biotechnology research. In addition to designing
novel organisms that overcome fundamental hurdles of scientific
research and medicine, Synthetic Genomics pursues partnerships with
organizations seeking to dramatically improve upon existing
products in health care, energy, and other sectors. Continuing its
legacy of scientific firsts in genomics and synthetic biology,
Synthetic Genomics is harnessing the power of nature to improve
quality of life. More information is available
at www.syntheticgenomics.com.
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