Announcements

Dr. Dora Allegra Carbone is one of the authors of the highly viewed article entitled “Potential of Porous Substrate Bioreactors for Removal of Pollutants from Wastewater Using Microalgae”, published in Bioengineering (ISSN: 2306-5354).

Dr. Dora Allegra Carbone completed her Ph.D. at the University of Federico II, Italy, in 2017, specializing in microalgal biotechnologies. During her doctoral research, she concentrated on optimizing growth systems for biomass production. This involved comparing traditional liquid bioreactors with newer solid-state systems, including the notable Twin-layer system, which she studied while conducting research at the University of Cologne, Germany. In 2018, she expanded her studies on microalgae and their growth, focusing further on immobilized systems, once again examining the Twin-layer system, also at the University of Cologne. After returning to Italy in 2019, she continued her work in algology across various areas, such as co-cultivating different organisms and treating wastewater at different institutions until 2021. Since then, she has dedicated herself to teaching and scientific outreach. 

The following is an interview with Dr. Dora Allegra Carbone:

1. Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?
The paper talks about a new technology, the Porous Substrate Bioreactors (PSBRs), which allows microalgae growth on an immobilized system and solves some problems linked to standard suspended cultivation. This technology seems to bring interesting results in wastewater treatment. This paper is the result obtained by PSBRs in this field.

2. Could you describe the difficulties and breakthrough innovations encountered in this research?
PSBRs represent an innovative technology demonstrating promising outcomes across various facets of microalgae cultivation, such as astaxanthin production. These systems have exhibited several advantages in wastewater treatment compared to classic suspended cultivation methods, including enhanced cost-effectiveness, reduced water consumption, and elevated levels of biomass productivity. Therefore, they present themselves as compelling alternatives to traditional methods in rural areas and small-scale decentralized systems within urban settings, such as hospitals. Nonetheless, a significant challenge lies in adopting these systems for large-scale applications. The scaling-up process necessitates a sustainable operation, incorporating automated algal biomass harvesting. Hence, future research should prioritize addressing these obstacles to facilitate the successful integration and utilization of PSBR technology in wastewater treatment and other biotechnology fields.

3. What made you decide to publish a bioengineering article? Why did you choose Bioengineering?
I have had previous publications with MDPI, and I have always found them to be reliable. Throughout my career, I have considered MDPI to be a top-notch publisher for research. Additionally, I have come across several bioengineering papers published by them, and they consistently exhibit high quality and are quite interesting as well. The Bioengineering journal produces valuable work which makes them trustworthy, and I would not hesitate to recommend them.

4. What was your experience publishing with Bioengineering?
My experience with this journal has been exceptional. The editorial team is truly efficient. They consistently respond promptly to my inquiries and provide helpful support whenever needed. Moreover, I have found that the time it takes for my work to be published is remarkably fast, which has been incredibly beneficial for my work.

5. How do you think open access impacts authors?
Open access increases the visibility of scientific papers without barriers; consequently, the number of citations and the impact factor significantly increase. As a result, this process amplifies the recognition of research and offers greater opportunities for young scientists to succeed in their respective fields.

6. What do you hope that readers will get from your paper?
I sincerely hope the readers recognize the PSBRS system's immense potential in wastewater treatment. Certainly, with further in-depth studies and ongoing research, this technology can significantly enhance wastewater treatment processes on both small and large scales. It promises substantial improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. Embracing and advancing the development of PSBRS technology could prove instrumental in addressing pressing challenges in wastewater management, benefiting communities and ecosystems alike.