Our
Projects
Temperature acclimation and adaptation in cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria, a group of microscopic organisms, have played a crucial role in Earth's history as the first bacteria capable of oxygenic photosynthesis. They thrive in diverse environments, including extreme conditions, and can survive across a broad range of temperatures. A distinctive feature of their metabolism is that both photosynthesis and respiration occur on the same membrane, called the thylakoid membrane. This unique setup allows cyanobacteria to maintain a flexible metabolism, enabling them to quickly adapt to temperature fluctuations. The ratio of respiration to photosynthesis in cyanobacteria depends on the structure their photosynthetic membrane, including the number and type of components in their shared electron transport system. By fine-tuning this balance, cyanobacteria maximize energy efficiency and maintain stable metabolism in different temperature conditions.
Correlating Primary Productivity, Phytoplankton Taxa, and Environmental Factors in the Sea of Galilee
This data science project applies advanced analytical methods to connect two primary productivity measurement techniques, radio carbon uptake and oxygen evolution, while incorporating environmental data from the Sea of Galilee. By analyzing the distribution of phytoplankton taxa alongside physical (e.g., temperature, light) and chemical parameters (e.g., nutrients, pH), it aims to explore how different taxa contribute to primary productivity. The project seeks to build predictive models linking productivity rates and taxa composition, enhancing the understanding and monitoring of freshwater ecosystem dynamics.
Kari D. Jackson, Pixabay
Environmental and Physiological Controls of Volatile Compound Synthesis in Leptolyngbia Limnetica
Filamentous cyanobacteria of the genus Lyngbya are known for producing foul odors that deteriorate the quality of freshwater ecosystems and drinking water. These odors arise from volatile organic compounds synthesized as secondary metabolites under specific environmental and physiological conditions. Lyngbya forms dense mats that create microenvironments with sharp chemical and redox gradients, influencing both primary metabolism and the activity of associated bacteria. The project aims to identify the environmental triggers that control the synthesis of these odorous compounds, linking changes in photosynthetic and respiratory processes to shifts in carbon flow and redox balance. By combining physiological assays with chemical analysis, the study seeks to uncover the metabolic pathways responsible for odor formation and provide a mechanistic understanding of how environmental stress modulates them.
