Dinoflagellate Molecular Biology and Mecanisms of Circadian Rhythms

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Dinoflagellates are an important part of the oceans ecosystem: they are major contributors to global primary production (photosynthetic carbon fixation) and are the symbionts inside living coral, and some form harmful (toxin-producing) algal blooms (HAB). We know very little about this class of organisms and even less about how they will cope with climate change. In addition, dinoflagellates are a useful system in which to study the biochemistry of circadian (daily) rhythms since most of their behavior and physiology varies over the daily cycle. Our MAIN RESEARCH GOAL is to elaborate a catalog of mechanisms used by circadian clocks to control rhythms, which may eventually help in understanding the more complex human circadian systems. As a SECONDARY GOAL, we want to understand in more general terms how gene expression is regulated in the dinoflagellates.