Unleashing the Potential of Seaweed Cultivation in Flanders: GAME Project Takes Center Stage

In the dynamic landscape of Flanders' blue economy and bio-based industry, a strategic research project entitled “GAME" was launched. GAME is acronym for "Genetic Approaches and Cultivation Protocols to Unravel Metabolite Production of Porphyra spp." The goal of GAME is to select genetically adapted Porphyra strains, develop tailor-made cultivation protocols for these strains and develop green extraction methodologies for high value applications including biostimulants and biopesticides.

In seamless alignment with Blue Cluster's mission to foster innovation in marine biotechnology in Flanders and Catalisti’s innovation programon sustainable green chemistry, GAME addresses challenges in economic and sustainable seaweed production in Flanders. GAME's pioneering approach is focused on acquiring scientific and technical knowledge on the seaweed production through a comprehensive understanding and control of the Porphyra life cycle in Flemish marine waters.

Furthermore, the GAME project strategically addresses key bottlenecks in seaweed biomass valorisation, specifically targeting the highly variable composition of the available crude seaweed extracts, and the lack of understanding of the functionality and mechanisms of action of the active ingredients in both plants and humans. The GAME project emerges as a strategic catalyst, unlocking the untapped potential of Porphyra, a genus of red algae for the utilization of the seaweed biomass as a valuable resource for industrial applications, encompassing biocontrol products, biostimulants, and nutraceuticals. GAME is endorsed by a diverse Strategical Advisory Board (SAB), capitalizing on the extensive network of the project partners Ghent University and The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research. The project is supported by two Ghent University business development centres including CropFit and the two spearhead clusters Catalysti and the Blue Cluster. The SAB members have expressed their commitment to the project through signed Letters of Intent, recognizing GAME technologies as key enablers for sustainable innovation in the marine sector. In collaboration with the SAB the project envisions realizing multiple trajectories, follow-up Horizon Europe projects, and bilateral R&D agreements for joint product development.

Finally, the GAME project will result in:

• Evidence-based scientific knowledge for identifying promising biostimulants and plant protection products derived from Porphyra.
• Conducting fractionation, efficacy testing, and mode-of-action studies for more efficient seaweed-based biostimulants and higher-value agricultural applications including biopesticides.
• A Decision Support Framework offering valuable insights into the balance and profitability of Porphyra cultivation, post-harvest treatments, storage, and extraction methods.

GAME will start in 2024 and conclude in 2029. The project will be the result of a robust collaboration between Ghent University (Phycology Research Group – Prof. Olivier De Clerk; Blue Growth Research Lab – Prof. Jana Asselman; the Laboratory for Applied Mycology and Phenomics – Prof. Kris Audenaert) and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research – Dr. ir. Dorien Derksen, with support from Spearhead Clusters Blue Cluster and Catalisti. The proposal was coordinated by the Ghent University Business Development Centers CropFit and BLUEGent. The GAME project is funded by Vlaio.