Dipartimento di Biologia, Complesso Biologico "A. Vallisneri"- Piano IV sud, Via Ugo Bassi 58 B 35131 Padova, Italy ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0803-7591 e-mail: tomas.morosinotto@unipd.it Research Activity: I am a professor in plant physiology and my research is focused on the study of photosynthesis in different organisms, investigating how evolution shaped the regulation of this metabolic process going from algae, mosses and plants. These studies are characterized by the integration of multiple approaches, starting from generation of lines with genetic modifications and using biophysical, biochemical and functional investigation in combination with genome, transcriptome, lipidome, and metabolome analyses. From the knowledge developed from basic research, I also devoted significant time in developing applications of photosynthetic organisms and the biomass they produce. For several years I have been involved in developing biotechnological applications of algae, also in collaboration with several companies aiming at developing commercial products (e.g. biofuels, novel foods). One of the patented strains is expected to be commercialized by Alver SA soon. More recently, this work expanded in plants, participating to different projects aimed at improving photosynthesis in crops. Since 2021 I am the Director of t 2014-2017: Associate Professor in Biochemistry at the Biology Department at the University of Padova 2007 – 2013 : Assistant professor in Biochemistry at the Sciences faculty of University of Padua. October 2005 – 2006: Permanent CNRS researcher working at the LGBP (Laboratoire de Biophysique et Génétique des Plantes) in the science Faculty, Marseille, (France). Research activity was dedicated to enzymes of carotenoid biosynthesis. Renounced to the position, opting for a position as assistant professor at University of Padua. 2005 – September 2005: Post-doc (grant awarded by the French Research ministry on a research proposal) working at LBC (directed by Dr. David Pignol) at DEVM, CEA, Cadarache (France). The objective of the work was the structural characterization by X-ray crystallography of violaxanthin deepoxidase (VDE), the enzyme responsible for zeaxanthin synthesis in plants. Contract was ended early, opting for a permanent position as researcher. 2002 / 31st January 2005: PhD thesis under the supervision of Prof. Bassi, entitled: “Light Harvesting Complexes in Higher Plants: Role, Organization and Regulation”. The main subject was the characterization of the antenna system of Photosystem I. b) Publications - 111 publications in peer-reviewed journals, - 39 publications as last or corresponding author - H index (from ISI web of science) 40; - 4 patents on algae industrial applications c) Awards: 2014: - “Baccarani-Melandri” award presented by the Italian Society of Plant Biology to “a young researcher providing a personal, relevant, contribution to the development of plant physiology in Italy” 2010: - “Vincenzo Caglioti” award presented by the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei as a young researcher in Chemistry. - “Robin Hill” award presented by the International Society of Photosynthesis as a young scientist (under 40) in photosynthesis. d) Grants (only major): 2021-2024: International coordinator of project “CooCE- Harnessing potential of biological CO2 capture for Circular Economy”. ACT Accelerating CCS Technologies 2020-2025: Local PI of H2020 project entitled “Gain4Crops Enhancing carbon fixation will boost the p

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Research focuses on the study of photosynthesis in different organisms investigating how evolution shaped the regulation of this metabolic process going from algae, mosses and plants. Information from basic research is exploited for the development of the application of algae for the production of biomolecules. The objective of the research is to improve algae efficiency in converting light into biomass. Key limiting steps of photosynthesis are being identified by integrating biophysical, biochemical and functional investigation of algae photosynthetic apparatus with genome, transcriptome, lipidome and metabolome analysis. Information obtained is exploited to develop genetically engineered strains with improved productivity.

students are invited to join one of the two main projects in the lab: 1. Algae metabolic engineering for the sustainable production of Bio-commodities 2. Molecular mechanisms for metabolic regulation of photosynthetic organisms specific project are proposed based on students background and research interests

Last update: 08/04/2025