About PHOTOSYN
About PHOTOSYN
PHOTOSYN is a photosynthesis research infrastructure (Fotosynteesin tutkimuskeskus) based in Finland and operating as a research infrastructure on the University of Turku roadmap. PHOTOSYN comprises facilities and instrumentation that form the operational core of photosynthesis research within Molecular Plant Biology at the Department of Life Technologies, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku.
Located at BioCity Turku, PharmaCity, and Ruissalo Botanical Garden, the PHOTOSYN infrastructure serves the plant biology and algae biotechnology research community and enables research collaboration with leading international academic institutions and industrial R&D partners.
Since 2025, PHOTOSYN has operated under the national roadmap infrastructure funded by the Research Council of Finland – the Finnish Biofoundry for Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing (FIN-BioFoundry).
Bioenergetics, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology of Photosynthesis
We employ a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art commercial instruments, complemented by custom-built equipment, to investigate all components of the photosynthetic electron transport chain at the level of thylakoid membranes, as well as in whole cells and leaves. Advanced omics approaches, including proteomics, are fully integrated into our research. Access to an extensive mutant library, along with a wide range of specific antibodies, enables precise and targeted studies of regulatory mechanisms in photosynthesis and in carbon and nitrogen metabolism.
Photosynthetic Biotechnologies
We develop photosynthesis-based platforms for the sustainable production of chemicals, materials, fuels and bioelectricity:
- Synthetic biology tools to engineer photosynthetic cell factories that efficiently convert CO₂ into target chemicals and fuels.
- Whole-cell biocatalysis platforms using photosynthetic organisms to transform specific substrates into valuable compounds by harnessing photosynthetically generated reducing power.
- Engineered living materials (solid-state cell factories) for robust, continuous production of chemicals, fuels, and biomaterials.
- Bioelectricity production from electroactive photosynthetic microorganisms.
Algal Biomass-Based Bioproduction and Wastewater Remediation
We integrate industrial and agricultural effluents as nutrient sources to enable large-scale microalgae cultivation and biomass production. This biomass is further valorized into high-value products, including agrichemicals. Digital twin modelling will support process optimization, scale-up, and performance prediction of the production systems.