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Matrix Genetics, a biotechnology company that has developed a method to genetically modify cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), has teamed up with Proterro, a biotechnology company with unique photobioreactor technology, to produce high-value nutritional products from Spirulina.
Spirulina, a type of cyanobacteria, is naturally a nutrient powerhouse: it provides a concentrated source of protein, vitamins and antioxidants with a small amount of healthy fats as well. Matrix has been the first company to successfully harness and increase those characteristics through genetic modification of Spirulina. In fact, Matrix can produce different strains of Spirulina with specific traits depending on the desired output.
This ability teams up wonderfully with Proterro’s photobioreactor system. Proterro’s technology converts the carbon in waste CO2 into valuable products ranging from biochemicals to nutrients and vitamins. More concisely, Matrix’s Spirulina, a photosynthetic strain of cyanobacteria that captures CO2 as it grows, will act as the input in Proterro’s process and will be converted into high-value nutritional products.
Paving the way for commercial-scale production of Spirulina, this partnership represents a big step forward for the algae industry.
