The lab’s research focuses on the molecular physiology of photosynthetic processes in plants and unicellular algae and their responses to abiotic stress, which enable to cope with challenging environmental conditions.

This research aims to uncover the intricate mechanisms that allow photosynthetic organisms to sense and transduce stress signals, facilitating adjustments to their cellular metabolism. This understanding is crucial for redesigning photosynthesis and light-use efficiency toward enhancing crop yield.

The research methodology is multidisciplinary, drawing on various scientific fields and employing a range of analytical techniques, including genetics, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics. The scale of study is wide, from isolated pigment-binding proteins to organelles, intact cells, and whole organisms.
The Lab cultivates a collaborative and inclusive environment that prioritizes scientific excellence, fosters creativity, and encourages interdisciplinary teamwork.

The team employs a wide array of experimental organisms and interdisciplinary approaches to:

• explore the key regulatory mechanisms of light-harvesting and protection from excess light
• utilize this knowledge to plan new strategies for redesigning photosynthesis
• implement domestication and synthetic biology approaches to foster algal biotechnology