U.S. Department of Energy Awards Team Led by Ginkgo Bioworks Funding to Develop Algal Crop Protection Solutions

Rhea-AI Summary

Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) has been awarded funding through the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) to develop a new approach to algal crop protection, inspired by integrated pest management strategies used for terrestrial crops. This project aims to improve algal biotechnology to enable increased production of affordable biofuels and bioproducts from atmospheric CO2 at large scales.

Insights

Biotechnology Expert

The DOE's funding of Ginkgo Bioworks and its partners for developing algal crop protection solutions represents a strategic investment in sustainable biofuel production. By focusing on the creation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) specific to algal pests, this initiative aims to overcome a critical challenge in scaling algae-based biofuels. The approach is innovative, shifting from broad-spectrum chemical pesticides to targeted biological alternatives that could minimize environmental impact and enhance algal productivity.

From a biotechnological perspective, the use of metagenomics and adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) to develop and integrate these AMPs is a cutting-edge application of synthetic biology. If successful, it could lead to a new standard in crop protection, not just for algae but potentially for other forms of agriculture as well. This project could have far-reaching implications for the biofuel industry, potentially reducing production costs and improving the feasibility of algae as a renewable energy source.

Environmental Sustainability Analyst

The implications of this DOE-funded project for environmental sustainability are significant. By advancing algal biotechnologies, Ginkgo Bioworks and its collaborators are working toward a solution that could reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. The development of selective AMPs as pest management agents represents a move towards more sustainable agricultural practices that align with integrated pest management principles.

The environmental benefits of this project extend beyond reducing chemical pesticide use. Enhancing the viability of algae-based biofuels contributes to a circular carbon economy, where atmospheric CO2 is utilized in the production of valuable commodities. This aligns with global efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and mitigate climate change. The project's success could catalyze a shift in how we approach both energy production and environmental stewardship.

Renewable Energy Specialist

This initiative signals a noteworthy advancement in the renewable energy sector, particularly in biofuel technology. Algae-based biofuels offer a promising alternative to traditional fuels, but their commercial viability has been hampered by issues such as pest management and productivity. By addressing these challenges, the project could significantly impact the economic landscape of renewable energy.

The potential for algae to efficiently convert CO2 and sunlight into biofuels and bioproducts positions it as a key player in the transition to clean energy. However, the success of this project hinges on the team's ability to not only develop effective AMPs but also to ensure that these solutions can be scaled up for commercial use without compromising environmental integrity. Should this be achieved, it could lead to a surge in investment and interest in algae-based technologies, influencing stock market dynamics within the renewable energy and biotechnology sectors.

• Algae-based biotechnology can be used to drive forward clean energy solutions, such as sustainable aviation fuel, yet scaling algal biotechnologies for such purposes faces major barriers
  
  
• The DOE has awarded a Ginkgo-led team — which also includes partners from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Colorado School of Mines, and Global Algae Innovations — to build revolutionary algal crop protection solutions
  
  
• The team will leverage its expertise in applied algal biology, metagenomics, high-throughput screening, and adaptive laboratory evolution to work to design algal crop protection solutions as more environmentally-friendly alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides, while enhancing productivity

BOSTON, Dec. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA), which is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, today announced that a Ginkgo-led team — including partners from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Colorado School of Mines, and Global Algae Innovations — has been awarded funding through the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). The scope of the project will be to develop a new approach to algal crop protection, inspired by integrated pest management strategies used for terrestrial crops.

Fueling the Future with Algae-Based Biotechnology

The awarded project is part of DOE's investment in the development of clean energy solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More specifically, this project is focused on improving algal biotechnology to enable increased production of affordable biofuels and bioproducts from atmospheric CO₂ at large scales.

Microscopic Pests Threaten Valuable Algal Crops

A major barrier to scaling algal biotechnologies is predation on algae by microscopic 'pests' in open outdoor ponds. Current algal pest management strategies are generally not specific to a singular pest and include chemical or environmental control methods that can negatively impact algal productivity and increase pest resistance. There is a clear need for algal crop protection solutions that are highly selective against specific algal pests, are safe to use in aquaculture feeds for animal consumption, and do not produce detrimental environmental impacts commonly associated with traditional pesticides.

Environmentally-Friendly Solutions for Algal Crop Protection

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short chains of amino acids exhibiting antimicrobial activity that are considered a more environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. A wide range of organisms, including bacteria, plants, and animals naturally produce AMPs.

The Ginkgo-led team will work to develop new algal pest-specific AMPs and at the same time use powerful adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) capabilities to increase the tolerance of the algae and of their protective microbiome to AMP treatment. This combination of AMP treatment and evolved AMP tolerance holds significant potential for reducing the frequency of pest-related crashes in commercial algal ponds—during which the ponds can rapidly go from healthy and vibrant to sick and dead—and simultaneously increasing productivity. The team will also work to augment their understanding of outdoor pond ecologies via metagenomic and transcriptomic screening.

"We built our platform to help partners in sustainability like the DOE to enable novel and improved energy solutions. We're excited to leverage our uniquely powerful AMP and adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) technologies," said Dr. Nikos Reppas, Senior Foundry Lead at Ginkgo Bioworks. "This project is built around a world-class team of research and development partners, and we're proud to do our part to bring this promising crop protection strategy forward. We are eager to play a critical role in this space for our government partners and commercial algae cultivators around the world."

If successful, this BETO investment has the potential to unlock a new suite of algal crop protection strategies to enhance productivity in outdoor environments. In the future, such aquaculture protection strategies could be used to enhance the economic viability of algae-based biomanufacturing to produce a range of products such as biofuels, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, and bioplastics from atmospheric CO₂ and sunlight, further enabling collective efforts toward carbon neutral production processes.

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Ginkgo Bioworks is the leading horizontal platform for cell programming, providing flexible, end-to-end services that solve challenges for organizations across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to pharmaceuticals to industrial and specialty chemicals. Ginkgo's biosecurity and public health unit, Concentric by Ginkgo, is building global infrastructure for biosecurity to empower governments, communities, and public health leaders to prevent, detect and respond to a wide variety of biological threats. For more information, visit ginkgobioworks.com and concentricbyginkgo.com, read our blog, or follow us on social media channels such as X (formerly known as Twitter) (@Ginkgo and @ConcentricByGBW), Instagram (@GinkgoBioworks and @ConcentricByGinkgo), Threads (@GinkgoBioworks) or LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements of Ginkgo Bioworks

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the capabilities and potential success of the partnership and Ginkgo's cell programming platform. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "can," "project," "potential," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) volatility in the price of Ginkgo's securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Ginkgo operates and plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, and changes in laws and regulations affecting Ginkgo's business, (ii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and to identify and realize additional business opportunities, (iii) the risk of downturns in demand for products using synthetic biology, (iv) the uncertainty regarding the demand for passive monitoring programs and biosecurity services, (v) changes to the biosecurity industry, including due to advancements in technology, emerging competition and evolution in industry demands, standards and regulations, (vi) our ability to realize the expected benefits of merger and acquisition transactions, (vii) the outcome of any legal proceedings against Ginkgo, including as a result of recent acquisitions, (viii) our ability to realize the expected benefits from and the success of our Foundry platform programs, (ix) our ability to successfully develop engineered cells, bioprocesses, data packages or other deliverables, and (x) the product development or commercialization success of our customers. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of Ginkgo's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 8, 2023 and other documents filed by Ginkgo from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ginkgo assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Ginkgo does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

GINKGO BIOWORKS INVESTOR CONTACT:
investors@ginkgobioworks.com

GINKGO BIOWORKS MEDIA CONTACT:
press@ginkgobioworks.com

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SOURCE Ginkgo Bioworks

FAQ

What is the purpose of the project awarded to Ginkgo Bioworks by the U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)?

The project aims to develop a new approach to algal crop protection, inspired by integrated pest management strategies used for terrestrial crops, to enable increased production of affordable biofuels and bioproducts from atmospheric CO2 at large scales.

Who are the partners involved in the project awarded to Ginkgo Bioworks by the U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)?

The partners involved in the project include the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Colorado School of Mines, and Global Algae Innovations.

What are the major barriers to scaling algal biotechnologies?

Predation on algae by microscopic 'pests' in open outdoor ponds is a major barrier to scaling algal biotechnologies.

What are the proposed algal crop protection solutions?

The team will work to develop new algal pest-specific antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and use adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) capabilities to increase the tolerance of the algae and of their protective microbiome to AMP treatment.

What are the potential applications of the project's outcomes?

If successful, the project has the potential to unlock a new suite of algal crop protection strategies to enhance productivity in outdoor environments, enabling the economic viability of algae-based biomanufacturing to produce biofuels, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, and bioplastics from atmospheric CO2 and sunlight.