Building a modular genetic toolbox for a new circular economy chassis

Project partners: University of Edinburgh & MiAlgae

Project focus area: Waste recycling

Edinburgh Genome Foundry (EGF), based at the University of Edinburgh, is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to high-throughput, advanced biological research and development. By integrating computational tools with automated laboratory systems, EGF supports a wide range of applications in biotechnology and sustainability.

MiAlgae uses cutting-edge biotechnology to recycle waste products from the Scottish whisky industry to grow microalgae as a cost-effective alternative to fish oil processed from wild fish. MiAlgae sell sustainable feed ingredients to the aquaculture and pet food industries, and were one of three finalists in the Revive Our Oceans category of the 2024 Earthshot prize.

Engineering biology is a critical technology for the future and has the potential to accelerate research and development of new sustainable products at MiAlgae. However, MiAlgae works with a non-model organism, so the availability of genetic tools for research is very limited. This EngBio SPARK award catalysed a new collaboration between EGF and  MiAlgae, combining EGF’s expertise in DNA construct design and assembly with MiAlgae’s experience of large-scale biotechnology processes. The collaboration resulted in a custom, scalable genetic toolkit for research, supporting MiAlgae’s mission to keep more fish in the sea.

For more information

For more information on this project, contact us, or view all Engineering Biology SPARK Award winners.

This project funding is part of the Engineering Biology Innovation Network, led by Innovate UK Business Connect in collaboration with Innovate UK and UKRI’s Technology Mission Fund. The network’s goal is to progress innovations, create a commercially focused community and foster new consortia to advance innovations towards commercial applications.