University of Gothenburg
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Botan
Photo: Anna-Lena Lundqvist
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Physiology & cell biology

Physiology is about how animals and plants function, and includes studies on cellular, organelle, organ or whole organism level.

Plant physiology

Plant physiology, include studies of fundamental mechanisms on cellular and molecular level, that control growth and photosynthesis. Often basic research is combined with applied aspects, aiming for example to develop more a sustainable production of food, fuel and biomaterials.

Research at BioEnv include for example studies of model organisms like Arabidopsis, crops like wheat, wild trees and shrubs in the tropics and polar regions and marine algae.

Animal physiology (or zoophysiology)

Within zoophysiology focus is on understanding how organs are built, develop and are controlled. Traditionally, comparative aspects are important, that is one looks at how different groups of animals or animals in different habitats have adapted.

Research at BioEnv focus mainly on fish and marine invertebrates, both wild and farmed. We use integrative approaches from the molecular and cellular levels to the whole animal,  and studies include both fundamental and applied questions, related to for example different aspects  of aquaculture.

Ecophysiology

In the face of climate change, which has led to increased temperatures and ocean acidification, ecophysiology is an area of research that has expanded over the past years, both internationally and at the department.

Within ecophysiology, one studies physiological adaptations to different environments, and how plants and animals react to climate change and other environmental stressors like salinity, pH and pollutants. Ecophysiology is on the border between physiology and ecology, and constitute the basis for many conservation projects.

Ecotoxicology

Another subject in the borderline is ecotoxicology, which often are seen as part of environmental sciences, but also involves many pure physiological questions. Focus is on understanding structures, processes and interactions that explain how pollutants affect ecosystems.

Research topics

Under each heading, we have listed the researchers involved, with links to contact information and possible additional group or project pages.

Plant physiology (cell and molecular biology)

Adrian Clarke (professor)

Cornelia Spetea Wiklund (professor)

Mats Andersson (researcher)

In addition, there is cooperation with personnel at the Department of Marine Sciences

Cornelia Spetea Wiklund (professor)
Read more about Cornelia's research on the PhoBio page

Mats Andersson (researcher)

In addition, there is cooperation with personnel at the Department of Marine Sciences

Henrik Aronsson (professor)
Read more about Henrik's research

Cornelia Spetea Wiklund (professor)
Read more about Cornelia's research on the PhoBio page

Angela Wulff (professor)
Read more about Angela's research

Photo: Anna-Lena Lundqvist

Zoophysiology

Michael Axelsson (professor)

Erik Sandblom (professor)

In close collaboration with Albin Gräns, SLU

Read more at the ECG-group page

Catharina Olsson (lecturer) - control of gastrointestinal motility with emphasis on autonomic innervation

Erik Sandblom (professor) - control of gut blood flow

Michael Axelsson (professor) - control of gut blood flow

Read more at the ECG-group page

Kristina Snuttan Sundell  (professor)

Henrik Sundh (researcher)

Read more at the  FEL-group page

Elisabeth Jönsson Bergman (lecturer) - appetite regulation, ghrelin and GH-IGF-I function

Björn Thrandur Björnsson (professor)  - growth, energy balance and appetite in fish at different life stages

Read more at the  FEL-group page

Henrik Sundh (researcher) - skin barrier function, wound healing and uptake of  microplastics

Kristina Snuttan Sundell (professor) - gut health and uptake mechanisms

Read more at the  FEL-group page

Erik Sandblom (professor)

Catharina Olsson (lecturer) - aspects regarding autonomic control and gut motility

Michael Axelsson (professor)

In close collaboration with Albin Gräns, SLU

Read more at the ECG-group page

Kristina Snuttan Sundell (professor)

Elisabeth Jönsson Bergman (lecturer

Henrik Sundh (researcher)

Björn Thrandur Björnsson (professor)

Jonathan Roques (researcher)

Focus is on:

  • Development of sustainable aqua feeds – effects on fish growth, nutrition, health and welfare
  • New marine aquaculture species, like wolffish, lobster and sea cucumber
  • Optimisation of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)

Read more on the  FEL-group page

Kristina Snuttan Sundell (professor)

Jonathan Roques (researcher)

Read more at the  FEL-group page

 

Collaborations in a project lead by Albin Gräns, SLU

Michael Axelsson (professor)

Erik Sandblom (professor)

Read more at the ECG-group page

The following projects overlap with ecotoxicology, see main research area  Environmental sciences

Malin Celander (professor)
Read more at the CYP-group page

Sculpin
Photo: C. Olsson

Read more about our research

Research within physiology & cell biology is primarily found under the main research areas Zoophysiology and Plant ecology, physiology & environmental sciences but also Aquatic ecotoxicology.