Lichen Symbiosis Research Lab

The lab of Gulnara Tagirdzhanova (a.k.a. MetaLichen Lab) focuses on fungal-algal symbioses, known as lichens. How is it possible that multiple microbes - fungi, algae, bacteria - self-assemble into a lichen, which is big, complex, and three-dimensional? How can symbiotic interactions lead to a stable body plan? How do lichen architectures develop and grow? To address these questions, we use meta-omics, microscopy, and cell biology tools. Our ultimate goal is to study lichen symbiosis as a case of complexity arising in evolution.

MetaLichenLab is led by Asst. Prof. Gulnara Tagirdzhanova and is hosted at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences of Stockholm University and in SciLifeLab campus Solna.

Highlights

Our Research