Guest Editors
Neha Arora
Skidmore College and University of South Florida
Dr. Neha Arora is an Instructor at the Department of biology at Skidmore College, NY, USA specializing in the field of algal biotechnology Additionally, she serves as an Associate Faculty member at the Patel College of Global Sustainability at the University of South Florida (USF). Dr. Arora earned her Ph.D., from the Indian Institute of Technology (2018), and her Masters in Technology from Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (2012). Her research focuses on microbial-based biofuels, bioremediation, and genetic engineering, particularly exploring the potential of algae-based biofuels and bioproducts. Her research is particularly centered on the exploration of algae-based biofuels and bioproducts. Her current research theme is dedicated to algal omics and the genetic engineering of algae to enhance bioproduct production.
George P. Philippidis
University of South Florida
Dr. George P. Philippidis is Associate Dean for Research at the Patel College of Global Sustainability and has a joint Associate Professor appointment with the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, Florida. He is a Fulbright Scholar and holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the University of Denver. He has authored numerous publications and 11 patents. Dr. Philippidis has long experience leading strategic business units in the private sector, directing applied research in the public sector, and teaching sustainability in academia. He started his career at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Denver, where he pioneered conversion of biomass to ethanol as a renewable transportation fuel. He then moved to Thermo Fisher Scientific in Boston, a Fortune 100 company, where he commercialized clean technologies. Subsequently, he joined the Applied Research Center at Florida International University in Miami to create and direct its energy business. He has been partner in a venture capital firm, founded technology start-ups, and advised companies and government agencies, including the US State Department, the US Department of Agriculture, and the Organization of American States. At USF, in addition to teaching and mentoring students, Dr. Philippidis directs green technology development and commercialization that aims at making the society sustainable and the economy circular through partnerships with industry, government, and communities. His applied research focuses on production of biomaterials, biofuels, and renewable energy from sustainable natural resources, such as algae, biomass, and oilseed crops, by integrating biochemical engineering, biology, sustainability, and business.
Collection Overview
Algae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms that thrive in a wide range of habitats, from oceans and freshwater to terrestrial environments, playing a pivotal role in shaping the earth’s biosphere. Their ability to adapt and grow in diverse ecological niches is due to their unique morphology and metabolism, which have evolved over time. Algae are incredibly versatile and serve as valuable resources for elucidating the evolutionary history of plants and providing feedstocks for sustainable biofuels and bioproducts. Algal biomass, rich in various biomolecules, can be a source of a broad spectrum of value-added products, including omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, vitamins, and bioactive compounds. Additionally, algae have been widely exploited for carbon sequestration and wastewater mitigation.
This video collection aims to highlight techniques for understanding algal physiology and metabolism. The collection covers, but is not limited to:
- Methods for isolating algae from diverse ecosystems
- Advanced microscopy techniques for visualizing algal ultrastructure
- Multi-omics analyses to understand gene regulation and expression (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics)
- Methods to genetically modify algal strains via mutagenesis and adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE)
- Genetic engineering approaches for strain modification
Articles
Abstracts
Live cell imaging of the cell wall and extracellular matrix of the model unicellular streptophyte alga, Penium margaritaceum
David Domozych*1
1Skidmore College