Convergence of nanofabrication, nanoscopy, transcriptomics, and algae technologies for sustainable fish feed

Sustainability is becoming more and more important to the growing aquaculture sector than ever. Integrating marine microalgae biomass as a feed ingredient in Norway's aquaculture industry achieves a double gain: It provides a sustainable, high-quality marine feed alternative that supports the growth of the aquaculture sector (the first gain) and actively contributing to carbon reduction by utilizing CO2 emissions as e.g., factory fumes from potentially polluting industry (the second gain). «Converse», an ambitious research initiative, is striving to apply cutting-edge cross-disciplinary expertise to solve some of our biggest challenges like sustainable food and feed production. By merging biotechnology, nanotechnology, and advanced microscopy, this project is paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future. The «Converse» focuses on developing sustainable marine biomass as a viable feed source for aquaculture. In parallel to developing sustainable feed sources for fish, it is necessary to investige how marine diatom biomass, as a feed ingredient, influence fish health. During the project, advanced optical microscopy, lab-on-a-chip platform, nanotechnology and transcriptomics will be used to optimize microalgae cultivation parameters and to investigate its influence on fish intestine. The project is led by UiT The Arctic University of Norway and brings together leading industry partners like Finnfjord AS and Chip Nanoimaging (CNI AS), and the research institutues, SINTEF and NORCE. Converse will be strengthening Norway’s research and innovation ecosystem by developing the competence on advanced optical microscopy, photonic chip and microfluidics and converging cutting edge technologies for aquaculture. By leveraging advanced technologies, the project is directly contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, addressing issues like sustainable food production and responsible use of natural resources.

Converse pushes frontiers withing following enabling technologies, biotechnology, nanotechnology and nanoscopy to have a key positive impact at the societal challenges towards a green transition. Converse aims to develop sustainable production of marine biomass as feed and is therefore highly relevant to the thematic call where technological convergence related to enabling technologies should solve societal challenges (e.g., green transition). Converse addresses the key challenge built upon ongoing and tight cooperation between partners from industry (Finnfjord AS, Chip Nanoimaging, CNI AS), academia (UiT) and research institute sector (SINTEF and NORCE), stakeholders to address several critical UN Sustainable Development. Converse brings together a cross-disciplinary expertise in microalgae/biotechnology (to produce biomass), fish biology and welfare (fish feeding, and analyze outcomes), advanced microscopy (to develop innovative visualization tools), nanotechnology (to develop photonic chips and micro-fluidics platform), and social science (RRI and sustainability assessment). Converse proposes 3 scientific work packages (WP 1-3), and WP4 which is dedicated to RRI across WP1-3. WP1 deals with development of photonic-chips and opto-fluidics solutions which provide radical technology developement, that will be used in W2-3 for performing high throughput nanoscopy of fish tissue and diatom frustules, respectively. WP 2 prepares microalgae, feeding and tissue samples for WP 3, where we conduct advanced super-resolution microscopy, and transcriptomic studies. Converse will be strengthening Norway’s research and innovation ecosystem by developing the competence on chip and microfluidics and converging cutting edge technologies for fishery and aquaculture.