Uwe John

Dr. Uwe John is a Researcher in the Ecological Chemistry department at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). His work focuses on ecological and evolutionary genomics, chemical interactions in marine systems, and the impacts of climate change on microbial communities. He leads research on harmful algal blooms, intraspecific diversity, and polyketide synthase evolution in marine microbes. John collaborates on projects investigating Arctic and North Sea ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on phytoplankton responses to warming and ocean acidification. His research integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and ecological modeling to understand species interactions and community dynamics.

• Affiliations: Alfred Wegener Institute, Ecological Chemistry Lab
• Key Projects: Studies on dinoflagellate toxicity, Arctic phytoplankton resilience, and genomic responses to environmental stress

Research Interests: Dr. John’s work bridges molecular biology and ecology, addressing questions about how marine microbes adapt to environmental changes. He investigates how genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity influence population dynamics, particularly in harmful algal species. His studies often employ high-throughput sequencing and experimental approaches to explore toxin production mechanisms and community-level effects of warming.

Publications: Over 300 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact studies on dinoflagellate genomics, Arctic microbial adaptation, and the ecological consequences of harmful algal blooms. Recent work highlights the role of genetic structure in bloom dynamics and the molecular basis of heat stress responses in marine microbes.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Ecological Chemistry team at AWI, collaborating with global networks on oceanographic and microbiological research initiatives.