Eco-Evolutionary Genomics

Changes in ecosystem processes can only be assessed if there is sufficient knowledge about the identity, characteristics, and interactions of the organisms within them. In the marine realm, the *small bugs*- the vast diversity of unicellular pro- and eukaryotes - sustain the lives of many other organisms and drive global biogeochemical cycles. Our research focuses on marine microeukaryotes, with particular emphasis on harmful algae and their impact on ecosystem health and function. We investigate how microalgae and their functional traits evolved and how this affects their response to changes in environmental conditions. These environmental conditions can include changes in abiotic conditions (such as temperature, salinity, and nutrients), but also associated changes in biotic interactions such as competition and grazing, which play a key role in shaping evolutionary processes. To address these complex interactions, we use a range of molecular and functional genomic approaches, from single-cell analysis to community-level studies, conducted both in the laboratory and in the field. Together with institutional and international partners, we endeavour to develop a holistic understanding of ecosystem state, change, and function and the role individual species play within these processes.