Photosynthetic Microbes Lab

My research is focused on the ecophysiology and bioengineering of photosynthetic microorganisms. These comprise 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.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Independent Research Fund Denmark 

Danish Natural Science Research Council 

Danish Council for Strategic Research 

Nordic Energy Research 

Carlsberg Foundation 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student projects are offered related to the biology and applications of photosynthetic microorganisms and other microorganisms that respond to light.

See here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please write me for absorption spectra or see Frigaard et al. 1996.

 

 

Contact

Associate Professor
Niels-Ulrik Frigaard

Marine Biological Section
Strandpromenaden 5
DK-3000 Helsingør, Denmark

E-mail: nuf@bio.ku.dk
Phone: +45 35 32 19 57