FuturoLEAF project to develop solid-state photosynthetic cell factories

The FuturoLEAF project has received €2.9m funding from the European Innovation Council to develop solid-state photosynthetic cell factories that will convert carbon dioxide and solar energy into useful chemicals like hydrogen.

Nanocellulose has many desirable qualities as it is algae compatible, binds water and has tunable porosity that allows transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Photo: Kelly Lacy from Pexels.

The solid-state cell factories pursued in the project are made by enclosing photosynthetic living cells in leaf-inspired nanocellulose frameworks. Using this leaf-inspired framework for the microorganisms prevents solar energy loss, reduces the water required and enhances production efficiency compared to traditional suspension mass culturing.

The consortium is coordinated by VTT and Research Professor Tekla Tammelin (Research PI of FinnCERES). FuturoLEAF partners in Finland are Aalto University and the University of Turku, and elsewhere include the French National Centre for Scientific Research, Graz University of Technology (Austria) and Cyano Biotech (Germany).

For more information about the FuturoLEAF project, read Tekla Tammelin’s interview (in Finnish).