Photosynthetic Microbes

Photosynthesis is the most sustainable natural process, splitting water and fixing atmospheric CO₂ into biomass using solar energy. Although this process has enormous capacity and has been optimized through evolution, there is still potential for improvement. Our aim is to understand photosynthesis, enhance its efficiency, and apply this knowledge to develop innovative biotechnologies.
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Background

The PhotoMicrobes team’s research primarily focuses on cyanobacterial, algal, and plant photosynthesis, particularly on alternative electron transport routes and their role in the regulation of photosynthesis. The team is leveraging this knowledge to develop sustainable biotechnological applications through two main strategies: a short-term approach focused on producing sustainable algal biomass for a circular bioeconomy, and a long-term approach centered on creating emerging living cell factories and engineered living materials for the production of solar chemicals and fuels. Thus, we utilize both natural biodiversity and advanced engineering techniques.

Research

Currently, we are investigating:
(i) Alternative electron transport pathways and the regulation of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria and green algae;
(ii) The development of solid-state cell factories and engineered living materials (ELMs) for efficient production of solar chemicals and fuels;
(iii) Green electricity generation from cyanobacteria and algae through exoelectrogenesis, including its mechanisms of action;
(iv) The biodiversity of Nordic cyanobacteria and algae for efficient remediation of industrial effluents, nutrient recovery, and production of value-added products.

Major fundings

2025-2028 - Research Council of Finland, national research infrastructure roadmap – FIN- BioFoundry;
2024-2026 - Business Finland co-research project AlgaCircle;
2024-2028 - EU HE RIA, Solar to Butanol S2B (https://www.s2b-project.eu/);
2024-2029 - Jane and Aatos Erkko foundation, PhotoFactory;
2023-2027 - Research Council of Finland, Photo-e-Mat;
2023-2027 - Finnish Cultural Foundation;
2022-2026 - EU Horizon Europe IA, REALM (https://realmalgae.eu);
2023-2025 - Tandem Industry Academia, Finnish Research Impact Foundation, AgriAlga;
2022 - Donation from Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki ry;
2022-2025 - EU CSA, SUNER-C (https://sunergy-initiative.eu);
2021-2023 - Research project grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation - PhotoCat;
2020-2023 - EU FET-Open, FuturoLEAF;
2020-2023 - Novo Nordisk Foundation - PhotoPro;
2019-2023 - Academy Project Funding, AlgaLEAF;
2018-2022 - Academy Project Funding, Revisiting Photosynthesis;
2017-2022 - NordForsk Nordic Center of Excellence "NordAqua" (https://realmalgae.eu)

Significance

The team is engaged in several EU, Nordic, and national research projects, and we maintain close interactions with stakeholders and industry partners. Our goal is to promote sustainable, nature-inspired technologies at both the national and EU levels. Allahverdiyeva is the Deputy Director of the FIRI national roadmap infrastructure FIN-BioFoundry, which brings together the biotechnology efforts of VTT, Aalto University, Tampere University, and the University of Turku. We are happy to collaborate by offering a range of equipment, methodologies, and educational resources related to photosynthesis and photosynthetic biotechnologies.