Severin Sasso

Severin Sasso is a Professor of Plant Physiology at the University of Leipzig since 2019, where he leads the Plant Physiology Group. He is also a member of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research iDiv (since 2020) and President of the Wilhelm Pfeffer Foundation (since 2019). Previously, he served as Academic Councillor (2017-2019) and Junior Professor for Molecular Botany (2011-2017) at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and has held research positions at ETH Zurich, University of Cambridge, and Carnegie Institute for Science. His research focuses on algal metabolism and microalgal-microbial interactions.

• Current position: Professor (W3) of Plant Physiology at University of Leipzig
• Education: Chemistry degree (1997-2002) and PhD (2002-2007) at ETH Zurich
• Postdoctoral training at ETH Zurich (2002-2007), University of Cambridge (2007-2010), and Friedrich Schiller University Jena (2010-2011)

Dr. Sasso's research explores:

• Algal metabolism and environmental interactions
• Vitamin B12-dependent metabolic pathways in algae
• Polyketide synthase evolution in microalgae
• Circadian clock regulation in photosynthetic organisms
• Chemical mediators in microalgal-microbial communities
• Postgenomic natural product discovery from microalgae

His publications reveal significant contributions to understanding:

• Molecular mechanisms in algal survival strategies
• Secondary metabolite biosynthesis in algae
• Cryptochrome photoreceptor functionality
• Mutualistic and antagonistic microalgal interactions
• Evolution of metabolic enzyme complexes
• Vitamin B12 utilization across photosynthetic organisms

Scientific recognition includes:

• Presidency of Wilhelm Pfeffer Foundation
• Membership in iDiv biodiversity research center
• Ongoing participation in SFB 1127 Collaborative Research Center