University of Gothenburg
University of Gothenburg
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  4. Björn Olov Rickard Andersson

Björn Olov Rickard Andersson

Doctoral Student

Department of Marine
Sciences
Mail
bjorn.andersson@marine.gu.se
Visiting address
Carl Skottsbergs gata 22B
41319 Göteborg
Room number
5119
Postal address
Box 461
40530 Göteborg

About Björn Olov Rickard Andersson

In my Ph.D. research, I study evolution of heavy metal tolerance in Baltic sea diatoms. I mainly use resting stages of the dominant diatom species Skeletonema marinoi to investigate how natural populations, at varying degree of exposure to metals, have developed tolerance. The resting stages can be preserved, alive, in the sediments for hundreds of years which also enables tracking of how populations have evolved over 1000’s of generations. In my work I mainly use laboratory experiments which I coupled with whole genome re-sequencing to link genetic differences to metal tolerant amongst individuals. This will enable identifications of genes, and physiological mechanisms, that are susceptible to be tinkered with by evolution under high metal exposure. During my Bachelor’s degree at Gothenburg University, I started working with nitrogen fixation in benthic biofilms and transition to nutrient fluxes in pelagic species and microbial ecosystems while working as a lab assistance. After running lab experiments I realized how rapid these primary producers could grow and produce biomass under optimal conditions. This got me interested in research on biofuel and biomass production as a mean to mitigate climate change. I got an opportunity to study in the U.S. through a Fulbright scholarship and moved to Colorado and spent my Masters degree. In an interdisciplinary project, ranging from engineering, chemistry, lifecycle analysis, to metabolic engineering and biology, I investigated photophysiological responses of cyanobacteria to growth in photobioreactors with complex light regimes. In 2017 I moved back to Sweden and Gothenburg to pursue my Ph.D.