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
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
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
Do you want to learn more about physiology & cell biology? We offer many courses that deal with questions related to this research area.