MATS TÖPEL RESEARCH GROUP

We are mainly studying the chain forming diatom Skeletonema marinoi and are investigating genomic adaptations in natural systems that have evolved in response to environmental changes. This species forms resting cells that can remain viable in the sediment for at least 100 years, and we can revive these cells to analyse phenomic and genomic differences over time... In collaboration with an international consortium of stakeholders, end-users and researchers we are also developing molecular and bioinformatic methods for monitoring biodiversity using eDNA technology... Global warming imposes rapid environmental shifts on all species and it is therefore important to investigate the capacity of biological systems to adapt to changed conditions. In this project we study adaptation of phytoplankton populations revived from sediment cores from an area affected by cooling water discharges from a nuclear power plant. Resting stages of the diatom Skeletonema marinoi, from before and after the..