Photobiology and Toxinology of Phytoplankton

The pigments produced by microalgae form what are known as pigment systems. The research group works to characterize the chlorophyll and carotenoid molecules that make up these systems, relating their synthesis and interconversion to processes involving the action of light, such as light harvesting, photoprotection, photoacclimation and photoadaptation. It also studies the distribution of these pigments in different taxonomic categories of algae in order to use them as biomarkers in the study of planktonic organism populations in natural waters.

In the field of toxicology, the group carries out studies of toxicity events caused by phytoplankton, which have major consequences for productive sectors that depend on the sea and pose health risks. It therefore proposes the characterization and determination of marine biotoxins, relating their production to microalgal biology, studying the main syndromes (PSP, ASP and DSP) that affect the Galician rias and exploring problematic toxicity events that occur in other regions, such as those produced by brevetoxin, palytoxin, ostreocins, ciguatoxins, azaspiracids, cyclic imines and emerging toxins.

The group uses innovative analytical methodologies that, in many cases, lead to the detection of compounds with structures that have not yet been described. It also has a long tradition of collaboration with other research groups, forming part of the Associated Unit for Toxic Phytoplankton together with the Vigo Oceanographic Center (IEO, CSIC), offering scientific advice and contributing to global databases of harmful algae, such as the Harmful Algal Event Database (HAEDAT) or the Taxonomic Reference List of Harmful Micro Algae of IOC-UNESCO.