Algal physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology

Algae are unique and ecologically highly important organisms. We have focused mainly on the biology of diatoms, unicellular algae that have a cell wall of silica and that are very important for the global carbon cycle. We are studying genomics, biochemistry, physiology, endosymbiotic processes, the ecological role of diatoms, as well as their importance for biotechnology using tools like genetic transformation, fluorescence microscopy, gene silencing, proteomics, cell counting, and 2D gel analysis.