『藻類の研究開発』で，人々と地球の未来に貢献する

─「微細藻類」の社会実装における現状と今後の展望─

抄録

Microalgae are phototrophic organisms ranging in size from a few to several tens of micrometers, so they are rarely observed in daily life. Nevertheless, they possess the potential to catalyze transformative changes in the global environment. Microalgae harness light energy, carbon dioxide, and water during photosynthesis to yield sugar, while generating starch, protein, and lipids via metabolic processes. Recent endeavors have focused on harnessing microalgae to produce valuable compounds such as carotenoids and fatty acids. Algal Bio Co., Ltd., which was established as a university-affiliated venture company in 2018, is dedicated to utilizing algae to address diverse societal challenges. Our commitment revolves around pursuing sustainable development across three core domains: health, food, and the environment. We are actively engaged in developing a "market-in" business model, which encompasses the utilization of a wide spectrum of microalgae species. We explore and cultivate microalgae to align with societal and customer demands, thus contributing to the advancement of production technology. To facilitate the global adoption of this business model, we are steadfastly working towards making Algal Bio's technology a cornerstone of clean tech worldwide through the establishment of an "algae platform," thus effectively addressing global societal issues through the innovative use of algae.