EASTBIO PhD student. I am a final year EASTBIO PhD researcher in Dr Andrew Free's lab. My project is looking at enhancing the performance of Omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3-PUFAs)-rich microalgae and developing desired phenotypes through the process of Adaptive Evolution (ALE).EASTBIOLack of genetic resources for these non-model strains, as well as the complexity of stress adaptation, makes rational genetic engineering limited. Therefore, I am working on a combined two-stage adaptive evolution approach to obtain a non-transgenic mutant with a potentially higher cell growth/biomass production and stable lipid production. I am interested in combining this ALE approach with high-quality de novo genome and transcriptome NGS sequencing and various other multi-omics analyses, to elucidate the connection between genotype and phenotype in the evolved strains. Additionally, I am exploring the use of genetic tools to help identify mechanisms that protect cells in stressful environments, allowing them to adapt. Identification of the key genes involved and molecular mechanisms underlying such adaptations will serve as a valuable resource for future genetic manipulation strategies. The motivation behind my research lies in the global problem of the worldwide shortage of ω-3-PUFAs. To date, marine fish are the main source of ω-3-PUFAs, and over-exploitation of fish populations has caused an alarming decrease in the health of fish stocks and wider deleterious effects on marine ecosystems. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative solutions for fatty acid production, including microbial cell factories that can produce these compounds de novo. Microalgae are the primary producers of ω-3-PUFAs in the marine food chain and could therefore serve as a direct resource of these valuable biological commodities, however their production needs to be optimized.BiographyI am primarily a biotechnologist with a background in microbiology and drug research. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Biotechnology and Drug Research at the University of Rijeka, Croatia. Before starting my PhD, I completed a MSc degree in Biotechnology at The University of Edinburgh, with my final project investigating the structure and composition of microbial communities associated with microalgae in photobioreactors under different cultivation conditions. This is when my fascination with microalgae and their potential in various biotechnological applications peaked. Following my studies, I worked on a one-year industry/academia joint project investigating the role of CreChar® in Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer (DIET) during anaerobic digestion. After that, I spent almost two years working in industry, in the field of algal biotechnology, as a part of a start-up microalgae production company.Throughout my PhD I was demonstrating and tutoring at various MSc and BSc practical and taught classes, and also enjoyed volunteering at Primary schools across Edinburgh where we held biology workshops for mixed group of P4-P7 children. I presented my research at various conferences and am a part of genomics, microbiology and algae societies. I also completed courses that further strengthened my skills, such as SysMic and Next Generation Genomics courses.I like to spend my free time outdoors, going for a walk, hike or cycle and like to re-charge my batteries in nature. Aside from nature and everything ocean-related, my second love is playing volleyball.PublicationsThe influence of metal ions on the growth of Francisella novicida in waterMartina's LinkedIn profile This article was published on 2025-12-15
