Hackett Lab Research


Work in the Hackett Lab focuses in the areas of genome evolution, the evolution of photosynthesis and the physiology of harmful algae. Part of our research investigates how eukaryotes acquire plastids through endosymbiosis and how this process influences genome evolution through gene transfer. Another main area of research is determining the factors that contribute to harmful algal bloom formation.

Current Projects


Identification of saxitoxin synthesis genes
Plastid acquisition in the dinoflagellate Dinophysis
Gene expression and harmful algal bloom dynamics