Project: Unlocking the potential of bioactive metabolites in Red Algae (Rhodophyta): addressing key challenges through integration and innovation of genomic and other molecular methods

2024-10-01 – 2027-09-30

Abstract

Food security is one of the biggest challenges in the 21st century. As food requirements are shifting towards promoting human health and avoiding disease, seaweed has attracted much interest as a natural source of bioactive compounds. Yet studies so far, do not offer any insights on the nutritional/ health potential of these substances as part of the diet, nor do we have any understanding about the molecular mechanisms underlying their mode of action in human cells. This limits our understanding of the true nutritional potential of these algae. Another challenge will be to develop a sustainable product satisfying these dietary needs. Few studies have investigated the mechanisms behind the production of these metabolites and no knowledge is available on how to combine nutritional and growth aspects for food production, especially from a molecular point of view. Therefore, in this project, I aim to get a mechanistic insight (1) in the metabolism and (2) production of bioactive metabolites produced by macroalgae under culture conditions relevant for food production and (3) their uptake by the human digestion system. As such, the project will significantly propel the aquaculture field forward by (1) gaining crucial insights into environmental factors influencing seaweed metabolism and (2) developing quantitative relationships linking molecular endpoints (omics) to the nutritional value of seaweed.