Tommy Conlon

Current Research Masters Student

Refining of high-value biocommodities from marine microalgae

Research Project Summary:

Microalgae constitute an under-explored natural source of biochemicals and have been the focus of increased attention due to the high commercial potential associated with the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. The research will focus on the use of microalgae for the biorefining of high-value metabolites with promising biological activities in the context of applied biotechnology. The study will follow a holistic approach ranging from microalgae-based physiological experiments using cultivation regime modulations to high-end protein expression profiling in selected microalgal strains.

Presentations

Tommy presented his undergraduate thesis ‘The Influence of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and nitrogen enrichment on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and fucoxanthin biosynthesis in the marine diatoms Stauroneis sp. and Phaeodactylum tricornutum’ as part of the Science Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) 2020 online conference.