Diacel, Universiteit Gent

Diacel: Diatoms as micro-eukaryotic cell factories The Diacel-consortium focuses on fundamental and valorization research on microalgae, and especially diatoms. The consortium includes research groups from the Departments of Biology and Bio-engineering of Ghent University and the VIB Department Plant Systems Biology with complementary expertise in the research of microalgae and its important applications..

The main assets of Diacel are:

- A unique BCCM diatom collection
- Strain improvement through molecular breeding
- Growth optimization through life cycle control
- Functional gene discovery in diatoms
- Genetic engineering of diatom strains
- Screening of important compounds in microalgae
- Close-to-the-market approach

The consortium exploits the biotechnological potential of diatoms and other microalgae in the industry of food & feed, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, petro chemistry, energy and nanotechnology. Diacel is cooperating with industrial and scientific partners in (inter)national and small-scale research projects, based on the strategic development of an IP-portfolio.