AlgAE : WHAT ’ S nOW
DiETARy SuPPlEmEnTS Algae , such as the protein-rich , blue-green strain known as spirulina , has long been a dietary supplement for humans and animals . But mayfield has studied other nutritional benefits in his research , such as algae ’ s high protein content and balanced amino acid concentration .
BiOFuElS When stressed , algae oil is very similar to petroleum . mayfield and colleagues are genetically engineering different algae to grow rapidly in large quantities , making biofuels a cost-effective alternative .
WHAT ’ S nEXT
THERAPEuTiC PROTEinS mayfield and his colleagues are exploring algae ’ s potential to produce therapeutic drugs , such as vascular endothelial growth factor , used to treat emphysema .
VACCinE DEVElOPmEnT mayfield is working with a team led by Joseph Vinetz , Ph . D . ’ 91 , at the School of medicine to engineer algae that yields an inexpensive malaria vaccine . “ The only way a malaria vaccine will ever be used in the developing world is if it can be produced at a fraction of the cost of current vaccines ,” he says . “ Algae have this potential because you can grow algae any place on the planet , in ponds or even bathtubs .”
A BOARD BORn OF TRiTOn
5 ways the algae surfboard evokes the essence of UC San Diego :
1 Sustainability
The first surfboards were shaped from Hawaiian koa wood , while modern surfboards are made from foam , fiberglass and resin . Algae brings surfing back to its sustainable roots .
2 Interdisciplinary Collaboration on
UC San Diego biologists and chemists worked together to create algae-based polyol , which , mixed with a catalyst and silicates , expands into the foamlike substance at the surfboard ’ s core .
3 Industry Partnerships mayfield called on Solazyme , Inc . to supply enough algae oil to make the surfboard . Arctic Foam , the largest surfboard blank maker in North America , successfully produced the first algae surfboard core .
4 Global Reach
The first board was presented to San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer at the premiere of National geographic ’ s “ World ’ s Smart Cities : San Diego ,” featuring UCSD ’ s algae biofuels research . The board then made a global tour to D . C ., London and Tokyo .
5 Leading Innovation
The cores of algae surfboards could be chemically “ tuned ” to adjust flexibility to different surfing styles . The plan is to test more boards with professional surfers and spawn a new industry of custom surfboards .
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