Photosynthetic Microbes Lab

Photosynthetic microbes synthesize all cellular components from CO₂ as the sole carbon source and use sunlight as the sole energy source. Therefore, these organisms are essential players in natural environments and as sustainable production hosts in the bio-based economy.

My research is focused on the ecophysiology and bioengineering of photosynthetic microorganisms comprising microalgae, cyanobacteria, and phototrophic sulfur bacteria. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the mechanisms of photosynthesis and any other metabolic strategies the organisms have evolved to survive in their environment. In addition, I am interested in how to exploit for practical purposes the activities and products of photosynthetic microbes such as CO₂ capture and biosynthesis of native and nonnative metabolites including pigments, sugars, and other metabolites. Our approaches are based on genetic and physiological techniques combined with genome and transcriptome analyses on both laboratory cultures and natural microbial communities.

Current projects:
• CO₂capture in photosynthetic microorganisms
• Ecophysiology of far-red light absorbing cyanobacteria
• Photosynthetic pigments in microbes and the environment