Katie Fixen

Solar energy has enormous potential as a source of alternative energy. The amount of solar energy that hits the earth every day is 20,000 times greater than the amount of energy consumed by humanity. The key to harnessing this energy is to develop systems that can efficiently convert solar energy into usable energy. Photosynthetic organisms possess this capability, making them ideal biocatalysts to use solar energy to power production of biofuels and other energy rich compounds. My goal is to provide a framework for how we can develop photosynthetic organisms as platforms for conversion of solar energy into energy rich compounds. My research uses diverse approaches to study:

1. how photosynthetic organisms adapt their photosystem and membranes to different light intensities in a process known as photoacclimation
2. how redox changes that occur in response to light and nutrient limitation control metabolic processes relevant to bioenergy
3. engineering photosynthetic organisms to use energy from photosynthesis to power reactions relevant to bioenergy production, such as using a remodeled nitrogenase to produce hydrocarbons.