Photosynthesis is the basic process by which radiation energy from the sun is converted to the chemical energy that is used by photosynthetic cells to fix CO₂ and to produce organic compounds, initially in the form of carbohydrates. The carbon fixed by photosynthetic organisms provide the basis for heterotrophic growth. The process of photosynthesis is therefore of fundamental importance for life on earth. Our goal is to obtain a mechanistic understanding of the process from light capture to biomass production. We use several model organisms including blue green algae (Syneccosystis), green algae (Chlamydomonas) and higher plants (Arabidopsis and Populus), depending on the specific problem under investigation. However, for some studies we also use many other plants including pine, Cassuarina, potato, cereals, spinach and pea. We seek to understand the processes from the molecular to the whole plant level. Special emphasis is paid to aspects related to the interaction between plant cells and their environment. The new techniques of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics will open novel and exciting possibilities for the further development of this area of research.

 

Capture of Light Energy
Metabolism
Modelling
Stress Responses