(PI) MARINE & FRESHWATER BIOLOGY

The Genomics Division focuses on the study of the molecular building blocks of life (DNA, RNA and proteins), their role in biological functions, and the ecological and evolutionary processes through which they shape biodiversity.

The Genomics Division covers four main research areas: molecular ecology, molecular biology, aquaculture genomics and developmental biology. 

The Ecology research division has five research units with advanced knowledge of the basic functioning of the high latitude ecosystems, on land, in the fjords and in oceanic waters.

The multidisciplinary research of our group has an emphasis on new technology to enhance the understanding of ecosystem responses to environmental changes.

The common theme is to relate traditional ecological observations to genetics at the molecular level.

Improve knowledge on the processes that drive the dynamics and evolution of marine and coastal systems, aimed at a proper use and management of these environments 

Understanding oceans dynamics

Coastal and ocean observations and modelling

My research group has two main foci: anthropogenically driven evolution and life history evolution. We study both aspects by investigating the molecular ecology of aquatic invertebrates. In the last years, my colleagues and I have taken advantage of the newly developing  field of museomics. Using genomic information extracted from natural history collections, we can begin to understand how humans have altered microbiomes, populations, species and whole communities. 

• Genomic characterization and study of the properties of different genetic groups of winemaking and aging yeasts responsible for the production of sherry wines and manzanillas
• Molecular cytogenetics of marine organisms
• Study of genetic markers in marine populations for application in wildness and aquaculture
• Molecular study of the mechanisms of pathogenicity of the fungus Botrytis cinerea applications to the integrated control of fungal diseases
• Genetics and genomics
• Gene mapping and integrated gene mapping

For a long time the great part of our scientific activity has taken place in the Arctic and recently in the Antarctic as well. We work there on the basis of polar stations: The Stanisław Siedlecki Polish Polar Station in Hornsund, SW Spitsbergen and The Henryk Arctowski Antarctic Station on King George Island, Admiralty Bay. However, we also camp in other polar regions e.g. in Magdalenefjorden (NW Spitsbergen) or Bear Island.

The wide sphere of our studies includes:

MERG’s research work focuses on: (1) characterisation of benthic habitats; (2) monitoring of changes to local marine life resulting from ongoing environmental changes (e.g. warming sea temperatures, species range expansions, invasion by non-indigenous species); (3) assessing the services provided by habitats and ecosystems (i.e. their resource potential); (4) monitoring the effects of human impacts on these habitats; (5) evaluating the conservation status of local coastal and marine living resources.