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Sophie Steinhagen

Researcher

Department of Marine Sciences
Visiting address
Carl Skottsbergs gata 22 B
41319 Göteborg
Postal address
Box 461
40530 Göteborg

About Sophie Steinhagen

For further information see also my webpage:

seaweed-research-steinhagen.com

Research interests

Seaweeds are a key factor in a more sustainable future. With their valuable and often bioactive compounds macroalgae find application in the pharmaceutical, biomaterial or food sector.

With my research I develop new strains for the cultivation of valuable green algal species within the genus Ulva. The work aims to develop environmentally sound cultivation techniques including seeding, juvenile growth, as well as laboratory and open-water cultivation optimized for Swedish conditions. We investigate how environmental factors and the genetic composition of seaweeds affect the content of high value compounds in the cultivated biomass.

Thus an important key component is the molecular, taxonomic identification of native strains within the morphologically highly valuable genus Ulva. Genetic studies of Ulva sensu lato are carried out in order to investigate the population structure of different populations along the Swedish west coast. Through selective breeding new culture varieties and high-performing cultivation strains will be developed.

Results from this research project will form the basis for cultivation and breeding protocols adapted to Swedish algal strains and environmental conditions that, in the future, can be used by commercial farmers.

For more information see my curriculum vitae: