SweetNordNet is a new consortium uniting early career researchers (ECRs) from 4 universities and across 5 Nordic countries to explore sustainable energy solutions and environmental conservation based on photosynthetic algae and sugars.
Led by four emerging principal investigators Dr Laura Wey (University of Turku, Finland), Assistant Professor Laura Bacete Cano (Umeå University, Sweden; and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway), Dr Rui Miao (Uppsala University, Sweden), and Assistant Professor Jana Isanta-Navarro (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) the network takes a fresh perspective on light-driven production in photosynthetic “cell factories” by considering the role of sugar as a product, a fuel, a switch and an inhibitor.
Sugars are not only the end-product of photosynthesis, but also the building blocks of environmentally and pharmaceutically relevant polysaccharides. Photosynthetic microorganisms can also grow with both light and sugar feed. Recent evidence suggests that sugar can act as a switch to shift photosynthetic microorganisms into different modes of production of bioelectricity.
Finally, previous research has shown that excess sugar can inhibit photosynthesis. SweetNordNet will investigate how blue-green algae regulate their photosynthesis with sugar input, and how this is related to their ecological roles in natural aquatic environments. SweetNordNet will harness light and sugar for renewable electricity generation in photo-bio-batteries, sustainable chemical production in cell factories, and ecological management of algal blooms.
At its core, SweetNordNet is a network of people. Through mentoring, leadership training, professional development, research visits and more, SweetNordNet will build a vibrant community of Nordic ECRs who will be ready to ascend to be the next-generation of leaders in photosynthesis research and green solar biotechnologies in the world.