Research projects

1. Halogen metabolism in seaweeds: I am interested in the uptake, accumulation and biological function of halogens (especially iodine and bromine) in seaweeds. In particular, I am studying the antioxidant function of iodide in Laminaria. Our research uses an interdisciplinary array of techniques, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). My collaborators include Lucy J. Carpenter, Gordon B. McFiggans, George W. Luther III, Martin C. Feiters and Wolfram Meyer-Klaucke.

2. Pathogens affecting seaweeds and algal defense: In collaboration with Claire M.M. Gachon, Pieter van West and Dieter G. Müller (Konstanz), our group is studying the most basal member of the oomycetes lineage, Eurychasma dicksonii. We are interested both in defense mechansisms of the algal hosts (especially the recently-sequenced genomics model, Ectocarpus siliculosus) as well as oomycete infection mechanisms. We are also exploring the diversity of oomycetes and other eukaryotic pathogens affecting seaweeds, e.g. during our recent Baffin Island expedition and within the framework of our Mediterranean algal biodiversity project.

3. Iron uptake and storage in marine algae: Due to the low solubility of Fe(III) in sea water, sea water has only very low concentrations of iron, and uptake of this element by marine organisms constitutes a formidable challenge. We are studying iron acquisition and storage in the brown algal genomics model Ectocarpus as well as microalgae. This research is conducted in collaboration with Carl J. Carrano, David H. Green, Berthold Matzanke (University of Lübeck), Martin C. Feiters and Wolfram Meyer-Klaucke.

4. Macroalgal biodiversity and taxonomy: We are working to enhance knowledge of the brown algal flora of polar regions and the Eastern Mediterranean by applying a combination of field work, culturing and molecular biology. The recent Baffin Island expedition has uncovered a number of taxa previously unknown from the American High Arctic. In this context, we are collaborating with Robert T. Wilce, Akira Peters, Hiroshi Kawai (Kobe University), Christos Katsaros (University of Athens), Kostas Tsiamis and Panayiotis Panayiotidis (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research) and Dieter G. Müller.

5. Biodiversity and molecular phylogeny of eukaryotic microorganisms
   

Research grants

• Pioneering post-genomics approaches using the Ectocarpus / Eurychasma pathosystem (NERC New Investigator Grant, Marie Curie Fellowship of the European Commission to Claire M.M. Gachon)
• Molecular and ecological investigations into the infection process of Eurychasma dicksonii (NERC SOFI Standard Grant, collaboration with P. van West and C.M.M. Gachon)
• The Role of Symbiotic Bacterial Siderophores in the Development of Toxic Phytoplankton Blooms (California Sea Grant, collaboration with C.J. Carrano and D.H. Green)
• Transformations, volatilisation and speciation of organic and inorganic iodine in the marine environment (NERC Standard Grant, collaboration with L.J. Carpenter, University of York)
• Macroalgal and oomycete benthic diversity in the Canadian Marine Arctic (TOTAL Foundation, Paris)