In late May 2024, the Japan Society for Environmental Biotechnology held its annual conference in Miyazaki, hosting a significant gathering of academics, researchers, and industry professionals. The event, supported by the Japanese Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry, took place at the KITEN Building Convention Hall, situated conveniently next to JR Miyazaki Station, ensuring accessibility for all participants. This year marked the second time the conference has convened in Kyushu since the 2013 edition in Kitakyushu.

One of the contents of the conference was a presentation by Dr. Kengo Suzuki of Euglena Co., Ltd. Dr. Suzuki discussed the "Potential of Microalgae for Renewable Energy Production," focusing on the utilization of Euglena—specifically Euglena gracilis—in sustainable biofuel production. This presentation was part of a larger symposium on the "Current Status and Future of Sustainable Environmental Bioenergy Production," which featured a variety of academic and industrial perspectives on the subject.

Dr. Suzuki's presentation shed light on the unique properties of Euglena, a microalga that has been a model organism for over fifty years. He elaborated on how Euglena, under specific conditions, can accumulate high amounts of lipids, which are later converted into valuable biofuels. Dr. Suzuki also emphasized the recent advances in genetic engineering, including the use of CRISPR-Cas9, which have enhanced the efficiency of producing specific strains of Euglena for biofuel applications.

The conference schedule was packed with insightful discussions, beginning with general oral presentations and followed by poster sessions. The evening of the first day concluded with a networking event that allowed participants to discuss their research and share insights in a more informal setting. The second day continued with more specialized symposiums and concluded with an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding contributions in the field.

The event was a great opportunity to exchange information on innovative research to promote sustainable practices in environmental biotechnology and to serve as a platform to foster collaboration.