Our research goal is to study the control of gene expression in microalgae, in order to improve the productivity of these organisms. Microalgae produce valuable molecules ranging from therapeutic proteins to biofuels. Microalgae are unique because they have the ability of photosynthesis with the high yields of microbial cultivation, making them valuable organisms for economical, industrial-scale production processes. Our current research activities involve in three areas: (i) control of gene expression in cyanobacteria (blue green algae); (ii) biodegradation of organophosphate pesticides using recombinant cyanobacteria and (iii) improvement of algal- biofuel productivity via genetic engineering.
