Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria

Our research is settled at the interspace of basic and applied research in the fields of genetics and microbiology with a major focus on the phylum of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are the only prokaryotes performing oxygenic photosynthesis, a process which uses light energy and CO2 to form carbohydrates and biomass. Due to their photosynthetic lifestyle there is a rising interest for cyanobacteria in green biotechnology. Accordingly, an in-depth understanding of their photosynthetic apparatus as well as regulatory mechanisms that control electron fluxes to the coupled primary metabolism is of fundamental interest. Hence, our research aims at the basic understanding of those processes that control photosynthesis and metabolism in this interesting bacterial group. The obtained knowledge will provide a scientific fundament for the design of photosynthesis-driven biotechnological applications, e.g. the sustainable production of hydrogen which is a natural byproduct of photosynthesis in several cyanobacteria.