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Areas of expertise
Biography
I obtained a PhD degree in Azerbaijan. I have joined the Molecular Plant Biology group at the University of Turku as a postdoctoral research fellow in 2002. In 2009, I was awarded with a Docent title in the field of Bioenergetics. I have been acting as Principal Investigator at the Molecular Plant unit, University of Turku since 2010. Currently I am acting as a PI of the 'Photosynthetic microbes' team and as early-stage PI in the Finnish Center of Excellence “Molecular Biology of Primary Producers” (2014-2019). Since 2017 I am a tenure-track Associated Professor of Molecular Plant Biology. Moreover, I am a vice-chair of the Nordic Center of Excellence “Towards Versatility of Aquatic Production Platforms: Unlocking the Value of Nordic Bioresources” (NordAqua, www.nordaqua.fi) funded by NordForsk (2017-2022) and a chair of the Biocity Turku Research Programme “Advanced Bioresources and Smart Bioproducts – Towards Sustainable Bioeconomy” (SmartBio, www.smartbio.fi).
Teaching
I have been involved in teaching both Photosynthesis and Bioenergetics courses at the Department of Biochemistry since 2009.
Moreover, I am involved in the University of Turku Doctoral Programme(UTUGS) as a PhD supervisor.
Research
My research interests have been mainly focused on plant and cyanobacterial photosynthesis. Through the application of various biophysical, biochemical techniques (both to cyanobacteria and higher plants), I have gained insight to the putative function of the specific proteins involved in photosynthetic electron-transport reactions. Starting from 2008 I began to focus more on cyanobacterial/algal research and the alternative electron-transport routes, which are heavily involved in regulation of photosynthesis via maintaining redox homeostasis in cells. On the one hand, these routes can be thought of as necessary for the survival of cells under extreme changes in physiological conditions, whereas on the other hand, they can be thought of as a waste of photosynthetic electrons or reducing power and energy in a targeted biofuel or bio-industrial production system. Currently our team is investigating (i) the crosstalk between the main bioenergetics pathways, photosynthesis and respiration and the alternative electron transport pathways in cyanobacteria and green algae; (ii) the distribution mechanisms of photosynthetic electrons to hydrogenases (or to nitrogenase in heterocytous cyanobacteria); (iii) development of artificial microfilms of algae and cyanobacteria entrapped in tailored polymeric matrices for increasing the light conversion efficiency toward product; (iv) biodiversity of Nordic cyanobacteria and algae for efficient waste-water remediation, for production of biofuels and high-value products. For more detailed information see our web-site www...