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.
Presenter Response
The organization of the work seems to be very focused. Tasks are layed out in a very sequenced fashion.
There are some questions that the investigator should address even for this exploratory project. Baseline
oil production performance and how it compares to algae is one example. How does it fit with the OBP
algae program is another. Overall, this will be a contributory exploratory program.
Response: We are measuring increased performance based on the improvement of TAG production.
Baseline data was presented in slides 9 and 11 of the presentation. The fit with OBP relates to the
contribution of biomass and lipid accumulation as a component of an overall production system. Cost
analyses indicate that improvement of these factors will be a major contributor to cost reduction. -----------
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This project's goals are basic science aspects of the Roadmap to understand TAG production under silicon
versus nitrogen limitation, understand genes involved in control points for carbon flux, and develop
genetic tools (including transformation and knockdowns with RNAi, too) for manipulation in diatoms.
Thalassiosira pseudonana and Cyclotella cryptica are the key targets and the PI suggests that what is
learned in these systems can be transferred to most other diatom biofuels' targets.
No response. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By characterizing gene expression changes using transcriptomics, fundamental aspects of carbon flux and
partitioning can be elucidated, providing gene targets for metabolic engineering.
No response.
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See Overall Impressions text. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The overall goal is to perform metabolic engineering of diatoms for higher TAG content. The specific
goals are to compare transcriptional analyses of two diatoms, identify targets for engineering, and then
engineer improved diatom strains. The science is very sound and was well presented.
No response --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For what it is—a largely academic approach—it's a very solid approach. It lacks a basis for supporting
realistic commercial growth of microalgae, which wil be wild and native mixed cultures, but will provide
very good scientific knowledge and advance our general understanding of diatom metabolism with
respect to lipid biosynthesis.
Response: As a first step, unialgal systems must be investigated, but knowledge could then be applied to
more complex systems. The goals are to provide practical knowledge to benefit production systems – in
this sense it is not strictly an academic approach. --------------------------------------------------------------------
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Although the approach is fundemental research, a baseline and commercial goals for productivity and
yield would help calibrate the project.
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