When most people hear the phrase “green photonics” they immediately think of green laser pointers.  However, green photonics is more than just laser beams with wavelengths between 500 and 550 nm. The threat to our energy supply posed by the exhaustion of fossil fuels requires renewed innovation in the development of technologies that can sustain our current technologically driven lifestyles. Photonics technologies are set to play an increasingly important role in this area and are already at the forefront of many global initiatives, from fundamental research in photovoltaic materials for solar energy capture to the development of innovative low-power lighting.

At Semrock we are becoming increasingly involved in this “green” revolution, partnering with research laboratories and manufacturers alike to provide them with best-in-class optical filters that meet the demands of their research and development.  One key area where Semrock plays a key role is in biofuel monitoring using flow cytometry.

Shining Light on Biofuel Production

Biofuels are those fuels derived from biomass. The two most widely known varieties are bioethanol and biodiesel, which are seen as alternatives to gasoline for power vehicles. Both have seen rapid increase in production since 2000. However, a new generation of biofuels, derived from “living” species, such as algae, is leading a surge of new and exciting research into fossil fuel alternatives. Algae-based oil, or algaeoleum, is produced from algae via photosynthesis. Understanding which algae strains produce the most algaeoleum is critical to the development of this alternative energy source.

Once again an optical technology, this time flow cytometry, is helping researchers answer this question. Flow cytometry is a technique that combines microfluidics with fluorescence detection to count and examining individual cells at high speed.  Flow cytometry is used to monitor algae growth and contamination (using forward scattered light, FCS) and to identify high-lipid-producing strains. The inherent fast-throughput measurement capability of flow cytometry allows researchers to analyze and quantitate cell numbers in excess of 500 different samples per week. 

Figure 1: Monitoring biofuel production from algae using flow cytometry: Histograms reveal variations in lipid content from nine different algae strains.  Data acquired using guava easyCyte 8HT, courtesy of EMD Millipore, (www.millipore.com/flowcytometry)