LABORATORY OF PHYCOLOGY

 Research lines

Bioprospecting of macroalgae to obtain high value-added products

We study the biochemical composition (pigments, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, polyphenols), the presence of bioactive compounds (antioxidants and antitumor) and the chemical characteristics of the polysaccharides of the cell walls of different species of macroalgae to identify natural compounds of pharmaceutical, food or industrial application.

Optimization of macroalgae culture

We seek to identify the best cultivation techniques for the different species in relation to their morphology and life cycle, as well as the optimal conditions of temperature, nutrients and lighting for the initiation of cultures under controlled laboratory conditions and their future scaling up to field conditions.

Biology, ecology and philogenics of marine macroalgae

We study the diversity and distribution of marine benthic macroalgae in the south of the province of Buenos Aires and the northern Patagonian region. We seek to understand the biological processes and environmental variables that determine temporal changes in their communities in order to assess and conserve marine algal resources.

Evaluation of ecotoxicity and algal bioremediation

We analyze different indicators of oxidative stress and changes in cell viability and structure that occur in different species of micro- and macroalgae after exposure to pollutants and/or environmental samples, in order to evaluate their ability to be used as sentinel organisms in environmental monitoring studies. Likewise, we evaluate the potential of macroalgae species native to the estuary of Bahía Blanca (EBB) to be used as biomitigation tools for metal removal.