C3 news and projects
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ISF and C3 report on bioplastics for a sustainable future
UTS's Climate Change Cluster (C3) are developing bioplastics from algae that look to replace harmful plastics. This report is a collaboration between the Institute of Sustainable Futures and C3.
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Taking a bite out of carbon emissions
A research partnership between the UTS Climate Change Cluster and v2food is exploring ways that algae can transform the way we eat - and provide solutions to the climate crisis.
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Scholarship opportunities
► Development of smart algal bioprospecting technology and approaches
► PhD Scholarship: Seaweed hybridisation
► PhD Scholarship: Algae based building materials
► The role of pathogens in marine diseasesApplications close soon
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Come on a C3 tour
Monthly tours of the C3 and Deep Green Biotech Hub give visitors a first-hand look at our innovative research facilities.
The Climate Change Cluster (C3) produces new insights into problems facing marine ecosystems by working at the intersection of the physical and life sciences.
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Who are you ?
I am Dr Jen Matthews, a marine biologist and coral reef conservationist and one of the researchers in the Future Reefs Group of the Climate Change Cluster at the University of Technology Sydney. My research aims to solve how coral nutrition and metabolism help reefs to thrive and survive, and then use this knowledge to create new tools for restoration or health diagnostics, to protect the future of our reefs.
What is the context of your project?
A coral colony can produce millions of baby corals, yet less than 1% ever survive. This represents a critical bottleneck for the recovery of degraded reefs and drastically limits the effectiveness of restoration projects using coral early life stages.
But providing vital nourishment to baby corals could dramatically improve their survival, giving them a fighting chance to grow into adult corals and restore degraded reefs. And just like us a healthy diet helps us to fight off infections and stay healthy, feeding corals could also improve their resilience to changes in the environment and disease, meaning more adult corals to support future reef generations.
What are the specific objectives ?
Our project aims to find the best baby food for corals to enhance survival during their most vulnerable life stage. In partnership with the tourism industry and other local stakeholders, as well as global partners already applying coral larvae restoration activities, we are developing a large-scale, affordable and easily replicable feeding method. Ultimately if we have more young adult corals, we can help rebuild degraded reefs around the world and preserve species diversity, which is critical for the future of our reefs.
Do you have a message you'd wish to share with the public about ocean protection?
We are intimately connected with coral reefs, relying on them for coastal protection, food, habitat for a quarter of all marine life and even a source novel medicines. But without help, coral reefs may not survive this century. Every reef system on the planet is losing corals faster than they're naturally replenishing. Our project and other active interventions that enhance reef resilience will help buy time for reefs, but to protect our reefs futures, we must take bold action on climate change and ocean pollution now.
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UTS Climate Change Cluster (C3) Facilities Tour
Algae Phenomics Facility.
Stackable Incubators (Eppendorf).
Stable Incubators (Eppendorf).
3L photobioreactor with turbidostat, C02 control; with florometer, optical density, pH, temperature and C02 sensors (PSI).
Multispectral Multicultivator MC MIX (PSI).
Automated Action Spectra Measuring Installation.
Automated Phenotyping Robot (PSI).
Mass Spec.
Opentrons Liquid Handling Robot (OT-2).
Phenoplate Installation (Eppendorf and PSI).
PhycoFlow.
800 L continual litre continuous algae system.
Thin Layer Cascade (TLC) PhotoBioreactor.
Algae Production Facility.
400L bag reactors for scaled growth of microalgae in controlled conditions.
Industry 4.0 Test Lab.
Next generation smart technologies linked to Industry 4.0 are key to enabling the rapid evolution of algae bioeconomy.
Copyright 2023 University of Technology Sydney.
CRICOS 00099F
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Our research areas
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Find out more about C3 research programs across algae, coral reefs and marine microbiology.
Study with us
Student opportunities with an internationally-recognised marine research institute, working across a diverse range of aquatic ecosystems.
Addressing 21st century challenges
C3 works to provide solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our age. We're aligned with UN sustainable development goals and supporting the World Climate Statement, UN COP26 goals and UN Decade of the Ocean.
Climate Change Cluster (C3) Brochure (PDF, 3.3MB)
Climate Change Cluster (C3) 2021 Annual Report (PDF, 11.8MB)