Grant: College - University Idea to Innovation Grants
Sir Sandford Fleming College of Applied Arts and Technology
$249,940.00
Interdisciplinary applied research project on Euglena utilized for clean-up of contaminated waters and research on potential industry utilization
FY 2014-15
Summary
Wastewater effluents contain many pollutants and substances of concern including disease-causing pathogens, decaying organic wastes, nutrients and hundreds of chemicals specific to the industry that produces them. In Canada wastewater receives various levels of treatment to remove pollutants prior to discharge, ranging from no treatment to very sophisticated, thorough treatment. As a result, wastewater quality and the amount of pollutants released into the environment vary across Canada. Harnessing the powers of algae blooms, Noble Purification Inc. has developed a novel wastewater management solution which utilizes the protest Euglena. Though algae blooms wreak havoc on our ecosystems, by applying the same philosophy on contaminated waters we can utilize these biota for positive results, 'tricking' them into absorbing contaminants from wastewaters. Our proposed applied research project involves further development and characterization of Euglena to determine its full capabilities in contaminant management. Our proposed research focuses on five research priorities; 1. To determine Euglena's full capabilities in removal of contaminants from other industrial wastewater sources (mines, oil sands, etc.); 2. To identify optimal growth conditions for Euglena, including identifying hormones involved in growth rates and cell division; 3. To reveal Euglena's genetic profile, identifying genes involved and mechanisms at play during contaminant uptake; 4. Focus on industry utilization of Euglena through lipid profiling, including identifying growth factors involved in the production of lipids; and 5. To translate the applied research into commercially viable techniques through pilot demonstration studies. The results of this applied research will not only further our knowledge and understanding of Euglena as a wastewater management solution but further the development of this technology and provide a cost effective alternative solution to current wastewater treatment methods.
Program
College - University Idea to Innovation Grants
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
470778-2014
Name nom
Wootton, Brent
Department département
Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment
Organization id
4915
Institution établissement
Sir Sandford Fleming College of Applied Arts and Technology
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2014
Competition year année de concours
2014
Award amount
249940
Program id
CUI2I
Program name en
College - University Idea to Innovation Grants
Program name fr
Subventions De l'idée à innovation pour les universités et les collèges
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1576
Committee name en
College-University Idea to Innovation grants
Committee name fr
Subventions De l'idée à innovation pour les universités et les collèges
Area of application code
400
Area of application group en
Environment
Area of application group fr
Environnement
Area of application en
Environment
Area of application fr
Environnement
Research subject code
1502
Research subject group en
Environmental engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie de l'environnement
Research subject en
Waste water treatment
Research subject fr
Traitement des eaux usées
Partie
1
Nb partie
3
Application title
Interdisciplinary applied research project on Euglena utilized for clean-up of contaminated waters and research on potential industry utilization
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Wastewater effluents contain many pollutants and substances of concern including disease-causing pathogens, decaying organic wastes, nutrients and hundreds of chemicals specific to the industry that produces them. In Canada wastewater receives various levels of treatment to remove pollutants prior to discharge, ranging from no treatment to very sophisticated, thorough treatment. As a result, wastewater quality and the amount of pollutants released into the environment vary across Canada. Harnessing the powers of algae blooms, Noble Purification Inc. has developed a novel wastewater management solution which utilizes the protest Euglena. Though algae blooms wreak havoc on our ecosystems, by applying the same philosophy on contaminated waters we can utilize these biota for positive results, 'tricking' them into absorbing contaminants from wastewaters. Our proposed applied research project involves further development and characterization of Euglena to determine its full capabilities in contaminant management. Our proposed research focuses on five research priorities; 1. To determine Euglena's full capabilities in removal of contaminants from other industrial wastewater sources (mines, oil sands, etc.); 2. To identify optimal growth conditions for Euglena, including identifying hormones involved in growth rates and cell division; 3. To reveal Euglena's genetic profile, identifying genes involved and mechanisms at play during contaminant uptake; 4. Focus on industry utilization of Euglena through lipid profiling, including identifying growth factors involved in the production of lipids; and 5. To translate the applied research into commercially viable techniques through pilot demonstration studies. The results of this applied research will not only further our knowledge and understanding of Euglena as a wastewater management solution but further the development of this technology and provide a cost effective alternative solution to current wastewater treatment methods.
