© Prof. Griehl

Competence Center Algal Biotechnology

Main research areas

  • Isolation and characterization of new algae from nature (own strain collection) & screening with regard to cultivability and recovery of valuable materials
  • Photoautotrophic cultivation of microalgae (green algae, red algae, diatoms, Eustigmatophyceae, etc.) and cyanobacteria and development of processes for the extraction of blue phycobiliproteins, omega-3 fatty acids, bioactive algal carotenoids such as astaxanthin, canthaxanthin and fucoxanthin, as well as evaluation of new algae species (including own isolates) for food applications
  • Heterotrophic cultivation of microalgae and development of processes for obtaining vegan proteins
  • Isolation and characterization of active pharmaceutical ingredients from microalgae
  • Extraction of extracellular hydrocarbons from green algae of the genus Botryococcus using a patented milking process
  • Extraction of polyhydroxyalkanoates from cyanobacteria as bioplastics and in-process analysis
  • Influence of diversity effects on the stability of microalgae communities in photobioreactors - studies on the susceptibility of algae cultures to contamination
  • Development of material cycles:CO2 fixation by microalgae, wastewater treatment by microalgae, fermentation of algae residues to biogas

Current research projects

GluMi New glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors from marine microalgae and other natural sources as drug candidates for the treatment of periodontitis
AvirAL Isolation and characterization of antiviral proteins from marine microalgae
DATIpilot Innovation sprints - individual projects: Extracting petroleum-like hydrocarbons from algae using in-situ extraction on a pilot scale
VitAL The green algae chlorella and its accompanying flora - natural vitamin B12 for a vegan diet
Neuroactive Development of a downstream process and characterization of neuromodulatory drug extracts from microalgae
PHA4Value Sustainable biotechnological production of biopolymers using carbon compounds from low-cost side streams of regional industry
WeALG Validation and optimization of algae-based active ingredients against inflammatory and bacterial diseases
AlgaHub Development of a regional network of companies and research groups in the field of algae biotechnology to support the transformation of the economic structure of the coalfields of Saxony-Anhalt
PhycoTherm Extraction, characterization and application of thermostable phycocyanin from microalgae
KAT Competence network for applied and transfer-oriented research
FORZA sub-project 3 Transfer via partner outposts
FORZA sub-project 8 Transfer via the Central German competence center for industrial algae production
FEM POWER 2 PreDoc supplementary studies + Graduate Doc doctoral program

Completed projects (selection)

SPRIN-D SymBioLoop Symbiotic Waste Revolutions MPI of Colloids and Interfaces Berlin, University of Konstanz, Corvay Bioproducts GmbH, PolymerActive GmbH Federal Agency for Leap Innovations SPRIND 2023-2024  
BG2Algae Emission-reducing coupling of biogas CHP and algae ponds for a flexible value chain and improved life cycle assessment in Agriculture Farm Ulrich Iffert, Ringgau BMBF 2019-2024 033RK078A
EVEK Development of a process for the extraction of long-chain hydrocarbons from microalgae   BMEL/FNR 2020-2024 22017618
KiM Development of a biological process for the control of parasitic contaminants in industrial algae cultures GICON GmbH Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt 2020-2023 ZS/2020/04/124381
DIGIPOL DIGItalized biotechnological production of biopolymers from residual materials using intelligent model-based process control OvGU Magdeburg, HS Merseburg Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt 2019-2023 ZS/2018/11/95487
EMIBEX Development of an industrial process for the mixotrophic production of bio-dyes/proteins from microalgae using carbonaceous residues and propane-based extraction processes   Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt 2017-2023 ZS/2017/01/83924
FORZA Research and technology transfer for life in the digital age (sub-projects 3 and 8) Fraunhofer IZI, axxeo GmbH BMBF 2018-2022 03IHS047A
INNOVALG FH-Europe 2020: Innovative production of valuable materials from algae   BMBF 2021-2022 13FH012EX0
KAT HSA Funding of technology transfer activities - Microalgae   MW Saxony-Anhalt 2016-2022 ZS/2016/04/7814
NovAL New algae species as a sustainable source of bioactive nutrients in human nutrition Universities of Halle, Jena, Leipzig BMBF 2017-2021 031B0366D
TEWICOS Process development for the extraction of lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts from the microalgae Tetradesmus wisconsinensis as raw materials for cosmeceuticals on an industrial scale Salata AG Ritschenhausen BMBF 2017-2021 031B0402B
BZA Development and characterization of a method for biological cell wall disruption of microalgae GICON GmbH BMWi 2017-2019 ZF4088903C56
AlgaeBiogas Development of the basics of a process for the energetic coupling of microalgae biotechnology and 2-stage biogas production GICON GmbH BMEL/FNR 2013-2017 22402513
ALZHEIMER Isolation and characterization of bioactive secondary metabolites for use in the therapy of Alzheimer's disease   MW Saxony-Anhalt 2012-2017 3GM2013
Tannenbaum Development of a platform for photobioreactor systems based on the "Tannenbaum" principle GICON GmbH Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt 2011-2014 1104/00083
  Process inhibitions in the monofermentation of grassland - causes and avoidance BTN Nordhausen GmbH BMELV/FNR 2012-2014 22015111
  Development of a semi-continuous cultivation and processing method for the extraction of bioactive substances from microalgae   BMBF 2011-2015 0316072C
  Development of a process for the biotechnological production of valuable substances from CO2-fixing microalgae with simultaneous methane recovery HS Bremen, BilamaL GmbH BMBF 2008-2012 1729B08