According to Mehr reporter, this year, for the first time, the “Young Scientist Award under 40” was awarded to three elites of the Islamic world in the sixth edition of the Mustafa (PBUH) Award in the field of medical sciences. In order to encourage young scientists of the Islamic world and honor their impressive achievements, this medal was formed as one of the symbols of merit and scientific excellence of the elite young generation.
In this ceremony, Sepideh Mirzaei from Iran with the work “Regulation of drug resistance factors in cancer based on molecular pathways”, Shaw Paulok from Malaysia with the work “Innovations in algae technology for aquatic and food industries” and Bos Javatmere from Turkey in the field of science and technology, biology and medicine with the work “Identifying how cancer cells adapt and resist chemotherapy treatments through epigenetic changes and microenvironmental interactions” are proud to receive this medal in the field of science and Biotechnology and medicine.
Shaw Pao Lok, winner of the Young Scientist Medal in the 6th Mustafa Prize in 2025, researcher at Khalifa University of the United Arab Emirates and affiliated member of the University of Nottingham, Malaysia, in a conversation with Mehr reporter, in response to the question of what is the current role of the algae industry in biotechnology and what is the position of this industry in the production of biofuels, food supplements and pharmaceutical compounds? He stated: Microorganisms have a large amount of nutrients including carbon, carbon hydrates, protein and lipid. These compounds are very important for biofuel production, pharmaceutical products and medical applications. These microorganisms have many nutritious compounds that can be used in the production of medicinal products. Vitamins, DHA and minerals are among the most important of these compounds and have a very high value in the pharmaceutical industry.
This researcher from Khalifa University of the United Arab Emirates, in response to another question that in a smart incubator for spirulina cultivationA type of algae containing some nutrients needed by the body), how to control nutrient deficiency parameters and harvesting strategy, said: A smart incubator (a laboratory tool for cultivating and growing living samples such as cells or microbes) is really important in this field, because it can control the amount of nutrients given to microalgae. By controlling the nutrition of the microalgae, we can get the exact product we want, which helps increase productivity.
Microalgae can be grown with food waste
He also explained the role of food waste in algae cultivation and added: Microalgae can be grown using food waste. The use of this wastewater both reduces environmental issues and challenges and produces a large amount of biomass, which helps to improve the ecosystem. Three main components are required for the growth of microalgae; First, water, which can be obtained from sewage, second, carbon, which is obtained from carbon dioxide, and third, sunlight, which is free. Using these resources can help reduce food waste.
Referring to the methods of extracting bioactive compounds, Xu Pao Lok said: microalgae have many nutrients and these substances should be extracted. There are many methods. One of these methods is deep ionic solvents and another method is advanced liquid systems. With these methods, active compounds can be extracted.
Improving food security by using machine learning in biomass production
He further explained about the role of smart technologies and machine learning in biomass production: in the field of Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, these technologies play a very important role in optimizing processes and provide the possibility of maximum production of biomass and extraction of biotechnological compounds. In the field of microalgae, it is necessary to use machine learning and deep learning to produce the maximum amount of biomass (a renewable source of energy from biological materials) and improve food security at the same time.
With the Internet of Things, the production of biofuel from algae becomes faster
Pau Lok also said about the production of biofuel from algae: converting microalgae into biofuel is a long process. One of the methods is the method of hydrothermal production (one of the most widely used methods of preparing nanomaterials). By using the Internet of Things and smart systems, this process becomes shorter and the possibility of producing the largest amount of biofuel is provided. Biofuels can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal.
He explained about industrial waste water treatment: Industrial waste water can be used to grow microalgae. But the main challenge is the type of microalgae, because not all species are able to survive and grow in such an environment. Selection of resistant species is very important in this field.
A sustainable aquatic ecosystem with the cooperation of microalgae and bacteria
This researcher from the Khalifa University of the United Arab Emirates said about the interaction of algae with bacteria in the purification process: Microalgae coexist with bacteria. Just as humans can do greater things by working together, microalgae can work together with bacteria to increase the efficiency of pollutant removal. In aquatic systems, aquatic animals such as fish and shrimp introduce large amounts of waste into the water. Microalgae consume these waste materials and turn them into biomass. This biomass is also used as food for fish and shrimps and a natural symbiosis is formed in the ecosystem.
Microalgae is a very important raw material for 3D printing!
He explained about the use of algae in 3D printing: microalgae are a very important raw material for 3D printing, because they are rich in nutrients, proteins, minerals and vital compounds and can be used as a suitable raw material for 3D printing in the food industry.
NASA sends microalgae to space for astronauts
This biological researcher further stated about the role of algae in the future of global food security: Microalgae are very important in the future of human food. NASA also takes not only raw protein or fixed food for astronauts, but also takes microalgae into space, because they are a rich and stable resource that can be used in space and are very important for the future of human nutrition.
Professor Pau Luk also considered the role of scientific communication to be important and said: Scientific communication is very important because it creates a bridge between researchers and the general public. Scientists often work in laboratories and do not have the opportunity to communicate directly with people. Scientific communication provides the possibility of transferring the findings to the society.
Useful microalgae can be produced in Iran
In response to the question, what is the biggest challenge facing innovation in algae technology for food and aquatic industries? He said: The biggest challenge is still the type of microalgae. Because I always worry that the selected species may not be able to survive in different environments. Every country has different environmental conditions. For example, in Iran, due to the presence of sunlight in most days of the year, it is possible to produce high-quality microalgae. It is also possible to produce in Malaysia or other countries, but with different applications. Therefore, we must use the environmental conditions and resources available in each country in the best way.
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