Episode 9 - Mike Allen on Seagrass: A New Set of Lungs

Professor Mike Allen is an Associate Professor of Single Cell Genomics in the College of Life and Environmental Sciences at University of Exeter. His interests are varied and encompass both blue skies and applied research topics. Blue skies research focuses mainly on understanding the role of viruses in the ocean using genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. Applied research focuses on biocatalysis, bioremediation, biotransformation, bioprocessing and technology development.

Mike’s current academic research projects include co-evolution of coccolithophores and coccolithoviruses, sphingolipid biosynthesis, novel protein characterisation, lytic and latent phytoplankton viruses, phytoplankton and virus isolation. Applied projects include biofuel production and processing, bioremediation, water sanitation, high throughput liquid processing and the development of novel photobioreactor technologies for promoting microalgal growth. 

Current and recent funding sources include The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Roddenberry Foundation, BBSRC and Innovate UK.

For more information on Mike, follow him @Mike_J_Allen on twitter, check out his website www.bluemicrobe.co.uk, or one of his project pages at www.phycomex.uk .