Sarah D’Adamo, SUN-PERFORM coordinator from Wageningen University, presented the project’s approach to industrial-scale photosynthetic production at the fourth edition of the Green Christmas Session on December 2-3, 2024. Her presentation, “Towards industrial photosynthetic factories: a SUN-PERFORM perspective,” explored how the project is advancing the practical application of engineered algae for solar fuel production.
We gained a clearer understanding of how foundational insights and engineering approaches can come together to drive meaningful improvements.
The online conference, hosted by the Institute for Biological Systems of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Rome, saw experts from both the fundamental mechanisms of photosynthesis and their applied, biotechnological dimensions. This year’s program, besides the overarching goal of using photosynthetic microorganisms for sustainable development, focused on recent advances in photosynthetic components and the development of photosynthetic cell factories—from laboratory research to industrial applications.
Sarah served on the scientific committee alongside researchers from across Europe, including Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne from the University of Turku, who leads S2B – Solar to Butanol, a sister project to SUN-PERFORM under the same EU call. The conference highlighted several EU-funded projects demonstrating how photosynthetic microorganisms can be used for green energy production, high-value compounds, and sustainable waste management.
We talked about many strategies, from engineering key regulatory nodes to redesigning metabolic sinks, and how combining these strategies may unlock higher productivity.
“Although improving photosynthetic efficiency remains a monumental scientific challenge, the field is getting more dynamic and engaged in unraveling the complex regulatory networks that control photosynthesis,” shared Sarah. “From light harvesting and electron transport to downstream carbon and metabolic pathways.”
“For SUN-PERFORM, participating in a forum that bridges basic research and applied innovation is essential,” Sarah continued. “It helps identify emerging concepts and technological opportunities that could ultimately enhance solar-to-product conversion in microalgae and other photosynthetic systems. We gained a clearer understanding of how foundational insights and engineering approaches can come together to drive meaningful improvements.”
A central theme in the discussions Sarah had during the session was how tools like metabolic engineering and controlled product secretion can enhance photosynthetic organisms, making them more efficient whole-cell catalysts for specific bioproducts. “Reducing metabolic bottlenecks and optimizing carbon flux toward desired compounds have the potential to boost overall conversion rates,” Sarah explained. “I had several valuable exchanges, including with Yagut and other researchers addressing similar bottlenecks.”
For Sarah, her experience at the session was a confirmation of the importance of interdisciplinary scientific collaboration and the essential connection between basic and applied research for advancing photosynthetic performance. “We also need to involve stakeholders, policymakers, and regulatory bodies to ensure that emerging innovations can be responsibly developed and effectively implemented,” she concluded.
The Green Christmas Session is designed as an annual series of interactive online meetings that foster dialogue and interdisciplinary exchange on photosynthetic microorganisms. This year’s edition featured keynote speaker Tomas Morosinotto, Professor of Plant Physiology and Director of the Botanical Garden at the University of Padova, and covered topics ranging from the structure and dynamics of photosynthetic components to translating laboratory research into industrial applications.
The conference followed the EU’s Open Science policy, offering free participation to encourage accessible and collaborative scientific exchange.