Macroalgae, as the name implies, are large aquatic photosynthetic eucaryotes. They are ecologically important as macroalgal “underwater forests” support multiple other organisms by providing food, shelter and nurseries. Humans, too, have utilized macroalgae for thousands of years, e.g. for food and fertilizers. Light is the primary energy source of photosynthetic organisms, including macroalgae. Despite this, light also damages these organisms and to survive and grow, photosynthetic organisms have evolved multiple photoprotective mechanisms. In macroalgae, these mechanisms, especially at the molecular level, are not always understood. I will explore the diverse photoprotective mechanisms and their regulation in green, red and brown macroalgae. By combining laboratory and field studies, I will also study the importance of the different photoprotective strategies for the survival of these species under real, harsh environmental conditions.

2026

2029