Christiane Funk is Professor in Biochemistry at Umeå University working with photosynthetic microorganisms. For more than 10 years she investigates the potential of native Nordic microalgae for wastewater reclamation and biomass generation.
Here, she talks about research on how microalgae can be used as a feedstock for bacterial production of biodegradable plastic. By using carbohydrates derived from carbon dioxide in flue gases, as well as nitrogen and phosphorus from recycled wastewater, polluted water is purified and global warming is mitigated — while at the same time producing sustainable, cost-effective bioplastics.
