Reviewer Comments - EERE

2011 Algae Platform Review – Reviewer Comments
Reviewer Comments are direct transcripts of commentary and material provided by the Platform’s
Review Panel. They have not been edited or altered by the Biomass Program.
Reviewer: 6 Criteria Score: 2
In addition to developing state of the art photobioreactors, the PI's suggest to tether cells to cellulose
membranes. As a laboratory excercise on a nano-scale, this is most interesting, but unrealistic commercial
scale production. In addition to the costs of cooling and materials, biofilms will coat the internal walls of
any photobioreactor. Such films will restrict photon transfer and undermine the need to tether the cells. A
simpler approach would be to innoculate with metaoblically manipulated cells that secrete oil and allow
them to coat the inner walls. Still, cooling costs will likely challenge this approach. There is also the issue
of CO2 delivery to tethered cells within a commercial scale photobioreactor system.
Reviewer: 7 Criteria Score: 3
Well-defined criteria for success and milestone decision points were not presented. It did not appear that
the scope was defiend by a preliminary evaluation of commercial viability.
Presenter Response
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2. Technical Progress and Accomplishments
Please evaluate the degree to which the project has made progress in its objectives and stated project
management plan has met its objectives in achieving milestones and overcoming technical barriers.
Reviewer Comments
Reviewer: 1 Criteria Score: 4
On the basis of the results in the presentation, I believe more progress on the key thrusts could be made if
less attention was given to nanobodies, etc.
Reviewer: 2 Criteria Score: 3
This project is 50% complete. Membrane development and antibody stages of processing development
appear expensive and their effectiveness for scale-up, especially with algae growing under commercial
conditions needs to be demonstrated more rigorously.
Reviewer: 3 Criteria Score: 7
Not a whole lot of progress yet. However, the effort aims to address: 1. High resolution lipidomics
analysis capacity developed, 2. Transcriptomic analysis of N deprivation underway, 3. Development of
novel molecular tools for genetic manipulation of algae, 4. Advancement of molecular algae viral
pathogenesis, 5. Development of nanobody tools for algae growth, harvesting and research.
Reviewer: 4 Criteria Score: 2
See Overall Impressions text.
Reviewer: 5 Criteria Score: 4
The project appears to have met some of its objectives (development of molecular tools, etc).
Reviewer: 6 Criteria Score: 4
A fair amount of data was presented.
Reviewer: 7 Criteria Score: 3
Data compared against a well defiend criteria to measure progress were not presented.
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