Methods of selecting algae strains for productivity and robustness
AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorsJoseph Weissman, Robert Nielsen, Roger Charles Prince
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided to select strains of algal cells for biomass accumulation. Based on synthetic algae sample trajectories, an illumination profile is developed. Strains of algal cells co-cultured in a vessel can then be exposed to the illumination profile under controlled conditions. Properties of algae can be measured and superior strains selected for further cultivation and/or study.
Claims29
A method for selecting a strain of algal cells for biomass accumulation in photosynthetic culture, the method comprising:
- (a) co-culturing at least two different strains of algal cells;
- (b) exposing the algal cells to an illumination profile, wherein the illumination profile comprises light conditions that influence growth rate of at least one strain of algal cells;
- and
- (c) selecting a strain of algal cells for biomass accumulation based on a photosynthetic efficiency characteristic displayed by the selected strain of algal cells.
A system for selecting a strain of algal cells for biomass accumulation, the system comprising:
- (a) a growth chamber connected to a selection chamber, wherein at least a portion of each of the growth and selection chamber are substantially translucent;
- (b) a plurality of light sources positioned to illuminate the substantially translucent portions of the growth and selection chambers;
- and
- (c) a plurality of lenses positioned to increase emitted light that is incident on the substantially translucent portions of the growth and selection chambers.
A method for determining an effect of a physiological or environmental parameter on algal photosynthetic efficiency, the method comprising:
- (a) contriving a synthetic trajectory for a particle in a reference volume, the synthetic trajectory comprising at least a plurality of position values in the reference volume, the plurality of position values having continuous associated time values, the position values including at least a depth value relative to a light-incident surface of the reference volume;
- (b) forming an illumination profile for the synthetic trajectory by determining light intensity corresponding to each of the plurality of position values and associated times;
- (c) exposing an algae sample to light intensity corresponding to the illumination profile formed in step (b), and
- (d) characterizing at least one effect of the physiological or environmental parameter on algal photosynthetic efficiency of the algae sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.