Microalgae populate oceans, lakes, ponds and even ice. Through photosynthesis they sustain life on Earth, by sequestering atmospheric CO2 and producing oxygen. Microalgae also have a vast and largely untapped, biotechnological potential. They efficiently convert CO2 into biomass and natural products, requiring only seawater, light and inorganic nutrients.
Microalgae account for exceptionally diverse species and evolved a myriad of biological solutions to adapt and thrive in the most different aquatic habitats. These diverse traits represent an unexplored reservoir for biotech applications and offer new bioengineering opportunities.
In our research group, we employ innovative strategies to investigate microalgal biology and to develop novel strains, designed to synthesize a variety of high-value bio-products from CO2.
Our research interests include:
- Understanding of metabolic regulation and natural products building blocks biosynthesis
- Functional genetics, genetic engineering and synthetic biology
- Exploration of non-model algal species
Group members