SOLE-LAB research activities are focused on the bio-exploitation of solar energy for the production of food, fuels and high value products. Different metabolic processes at the base of solar energy utilization are subject of investigation mostly in microalgae but also in plants, focusing on how biomass and metabolites accumulation can be improved through an interdisciplinary approach from plant physiology to biochemistry, biophysics, genetics and bioinformatics. Microalgae are organisms of interest due to their application as alternative and innovative system for solar light utilization, which are not in competition with traditional agriculture. Research works are extended to genomic and transcriptomic approaches to target biotechnological intervention. Research activities are substained by several national (PRIN) and european (ERC-Starting Grant SOLENALGAE) grants, and joint projects with national and international companies involved in different industry sectors.
https://www.solelab.org/