Ag Innovation Showcase Announces Special Program on Algae to Biofuel: A Practical Solution to Energy
“From pond scum to the pump” session features three prominent scientists
March 1, 2010, St. Louis, MO –
The Ag Innovation Showcase, the leading global conference for agriculture industry leaders, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and investors, has announced a special preview program on Algae to Biofuel: A Practical Solution to Energy, from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m., on Monday, May 24, at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, MO. Held immediately before the luncheon and official kick-off at noon for the second annual Ag Innovation Showcase, the pre-program is available at no additional charge and reservations can be made online at
www.agshowcase.com.
The panel will present a lively discussion about what may be the most promising solution to our nation’s quest for energy independence. “Algae have significant potential as a clean, renewable and economical fuel source, and St. Louis is pleased to be nationally recognized as a leader in this cutting-edge research because of work being done at so many different levels,” said Dr. Sayre. The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels, headed by Dr. Sayre, was founded in 2007 with a goal of creating the next generation of alternative fuel technologies from environmentally sound plant sources, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on non-renewable resources. The Institute is primarily focused on the efficient creation of bio-oils from plants such as algae, soy and camelina, which could be used on a large scale to power cars, trucks, and aircraft. The Center for Advanced Biofuel Systems (CABS), where Dr. Sayre is the Director, is exploring ways to increase the thermodynamic and kinetic efficiency of select plant- and algal-based fuel production systems using rational metabolic engineering approaches grounded in modern systems biology. Headed by Dr. Jose Olivares, the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts (NAABB) is one of two cross-functional groups nationwide working to break down critical barriers to the commercialization of algae-based and other advanced biofuels such as green aviation fuels, diesel, and gasoline that can be transported and sold using today’s existing fueling infrastructure. Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center (PARC) is conducting basic research aimed at understanding the principles of light harvesting and energy funneling as applied to natural photosynthetic, biohybrid and bio-inspired antenna systems, which gather light and carry it to an organism’s reaction center where the chemistry that creates energy takes place. Created in June 2007 to foster research on energy, environment, and sustainability that cannot be done by single investigators or by single disciplines alone, the International Center for Advanced Research in Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES) is headed by Dr. Himadri Pakrasi. I-CARES nurtures collaborations within Washington University and with regional and international partners in order to contribute to rapid progress in addressing the world's energy needs. The two-day Ag Innovation Showcase, May 24 and 25, at the Danforth Plant Science Center, spotlights promising entrepreneurs from around the world who are driving innovation in agricultural technologies in ag-bio, food and nutrition, biofuels, sustainable materials, clean-tech, information technology and animal health. Attendees include leading capital providers, industry partners, and representatives from key public commercialization agencies, as well as a small group of entrepreneurial companies that are selected will have the opportunity to showcase their groundbreaking technologies. The Ag Innovation Showcase is a joint enterprise between BRDG Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center, Nidus, Missouri Biotechnology Association and Missouri Technology Corporation. It will be produced by Larta Institute, a Los Angeles-based innovation hub that also manages the national commercialization programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Institutes of Health. |
About BRDG Park at the Danforth Center
BioResearch & Development Growth (BRDG – pronounced “bridge”) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center helps life sciences companies bridge research, resources and relationships to achieve commercial success. Building I, opened in June 2009, is a LEED Gold facility featuring world-class wet laboratories and office space, a prominent incubator, and on-site workforce development and training. BRDG Park’s location on the campus of Danforth Center facilitates access to the intellectual capital of top scientists, as well as to greenhouse, growth chambers, microscopy and proteomics facilities and other vital resources. BRDG Park, which will include three buildings and 450,000 sq. ft., is being developed by Wexford Science+Technology LLC, a privately held real estate developer and investment company specializing in university facilities and science research parks in leading research markets. More information is available at
www.BRDG-Park.com.