Investigations on microalgal H₂ photoproduction are conducted at the LPBP (Laboratory of Plant Biochemistry and Photobiology) using a two-stage process involving a stage of sulfur-deficiency which leads to anaerobiosis and sustained H₂ evolution. During this process, interactions between respiration, photosynthesis and H₂-producing pathways determine the rate of H₂ evolution. These interactions will be analysed, using an existing collection of mitochondrial mutants and new genetically-modified strains of the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which will be produced by the LAG (Laboratory of Genetics). The objectives are to increase knowledge on the metabolic interactions that determine H₂ evolution at the cellular level and to produce new strains with increased ability for H₂ production. This will be achieved by altering the efficiencies of relevant metabolic pathways by genetic engineering. In addition, the complementarities between microalgal and bacterial metabolisms will be evaluated and the effect of cell immobilisation on hydrogen production will be investigated.

Dark-fermentation

Investigations on bacterial H₂ production are conducted at the CWBI. The proposal will focus on the study of the potentialities of different consortia and Clostridium strains. Our goal is to increase our knowledge and investigation skills about bacteria involved in bioreactors treating wastewater to produce biohydrogen. To solve problems of microorganisms growth and retention, conditions will be tested to enable the development of biofilms inside the bioreactor at low hydraulic retention time. To monitor the structure, genetic potential, functioning and interrelations of the bacterial consortia, microbial ecology tools will be designed and assessed on bioreactor samples. Previous research at the CWBI (Walloon Center of Industrial Biology) has shown promising results but also the need of molecular monitoring of the bacterial diversity and activity.  The  CIP (Center for Protein Engineering) will apply and compare different molecular ecology methodologies currently used in environmental biotechnology.