The Phycology Lab is headed by Olivier De Clerck. Our research focuses on genetics, diversity and life cycle control of marine macroalgae. We address questions ranging from descriptive taxonomy over ecological studies forecasting the distribution of species in relation to environmental change to genomics of selected green and brown seaweed species. A substantial part of our research involves a combination of fieldwork, culturing (including aquaculture) and manipulating seaweed strains to study their development (Dictyota), gamete development (Ectocarpus, Ulva) or morphogenesis and genomics (green seaweeds).