Marine Chemical Ecology

We study how naturally occurring substances (secondary metabolites or natural products) affect the interaction between marine organisms through their function as signals between individuals of the same species, as defence against predators or grazers, or to deter competitors.

MARICE is a strategic research platform in Marine Chemical Ecology co-ordinated by Henrik Pavia at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences. MARICE is an interdiciplinary research program at the Faculty of Science at University of Gothenburg. Researchers in biology, chemistry and biohydrodynamics collaborate to improve the understanding of chemically mediated interactions between marine organisms and their environment. Focus is on production and response to bioactive compounds used in chemical defence. Participants come from several departments within the faculty.

> Read more about the Marine Chemical Ecology research on the MARICE homepage

Research topics

• Mechanisms and ecological significance of chemical defences and signals in marine organisms
• Multitrophic interactions mediated by secondary metabolites
• Abiotic factors and their effect on production of secondary metabolites
• Hydrodynamics and the effect of flow on chemically mediated interactions
• Chemical interactions within plankton communities