John Roles

The University of Queensland | UQ · Institute for Molecular Bioscience

Pigments are intensely coloured compounds used in many industries to colour other materials. The demand for naturally synthesised pigments is increasing and their production can be incorporated into circular bioeconomy approaches. Natural pigments are produced by bacteria, cyanobacteria, microalgae, macroalgae, plants and animals. There is a huge u...

Microalgae-based renewable fuels offer low carbon alternatives to fossil fuels, and can theoretically support energy and climate security, regional employment and sustainable development. However, to achieve price parity with fossil fuels and fast track scale up, a benchmark production price of US$0.67 L-1 ($2.54 gal−1) must be achieved. The financ...

Agriculture has radically changed the global nitrogen (N) cycle and is heavily dependent on synthetic N-fertiliser. However, the N-use efficiency of synthetic fertilisers is often only 50% with N-losses from crop systems polluting the biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. To address the large carbon and energy footprint of N-fertiliser synthesis a...

Abstract Background Microalgae-based high-density fuels offer an efficient and environmental pathway towards decarbonization of the transport sector and could be produced as part of a globally distributed network without competing with food systems for arable land. Variations in climatic and economic conditions significantly impact the economic fea...

Recently there has been a significant increase in the amount and frequency of seaweed blooms of the holopelagic brown macroalgae Sargassum fluitans and natans (hereafter Sargassum) in the Atlantic Ocean. These blooms impose a major burden on residents (e.g. rotting beached Sargassum, unpleasant odor, toxic gases), the local economy of countries wit...

Microalgae provide a powerful solar driven biotechnology platform for the production of the increasing quantity of food, fuel, high value products, fine chemicals and clean water required to supply our expanding global population. Light capture fuels all photosynthetically driven microalgae processes and consequently, maximizing light capture effic...

Access to affordable and clean energy is a United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal. The prospects for cheap, reliable, renewable stationary energy and electric vehicles have rapidly improved, driven by de‑carbonisation and sustainability agendas, enhanced policy interventions and maturing technology options. In contrast, low-carbon renewable l...