RESEARCH
Primary Areas of Interest
ASCORBATE (VITAMIN C)
IN PLANTS
Physiological roles, transport and metabolism of ascorbate
Ascorbate is an essential vitamin for humans, which is of plant origin and fulfills various roles both in mammalian and plant cells. Szilvia Z. Tóth and her group focus on the biosynthesis, transport and physiological roles of ascorbate in plants and green algae. Their results may ultimately contribute to increasing the ascorbate contents of crops.
SINGLE CELL ANALYSIS FOR GREEN ALGAE
Combination of microfluidics and chl a fluorescence imaging
Our approach is based on microfluidics, which allows the trapping of a small number or unique algal cells for several days, during which morphological examinations can be performed by microscopy. We combined this with chlorophyll-a fluorescence measurements that provide valuable information on photosynthetic activity.
H2 PRODUCTION
BY GREEN ALGAE
Establishment of an entirely green renewable energy production system
Hydrogen gas (H2) is a clean energy carrier that features zero carbon emissions during its combustion. Green algae are capable of generating H2 during photosynthesis by their highly active [Fe-Fe]-type hydrogenases; for this reason, the photoproduction of H2 could theoretically be the most efficient way of converting sunlight into chemical energy by biological systems.