Major Research Achievements
Redefining Strontium and Barium Cycling
We discovered massive accumulation of barium and strontium in marine diplonemids.
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Nitrogen Storage Through Crystals
We contributed to the discovery that guanine crystals serve as dynamic nitrogen reserves in microalgae.
moreFinding new localization of polyphosphate in chloroplasts of zygnematophytes
Unexpected localization in chloroplasts rather than specialized acidocalcisomes known from other species, polyphosphate could be one of the major adaptation advantages in the terrestrialization process of zygnematophytes, the sister group of land plants.
moreCrystal-Based Microbial Vision
We showed that guanine crystals function as photonic mirrors in microbial eyespots. This discovery opened a completely new direction at the interface of cell biology, optics, and materials science.
moreA Paradigm Shift in Biocrystallization
We demonstrated that purine crystals are widespread throughout eukaryotes and likely more abundant than previously recognized inorganic biominerals.
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