More about the programme
CYANOFIX is a European interdisciplinary programme on N2-fixing cyanobacteria, in which their molecular taxonomy, physiology, biochemistry and molecular genetics are integrated into their ecology. Cyanobacteria make a significant contribution to the global nitrogen cycle and have a pivotal role in current attempts to introduce the ability to fix N2 into economically important crop plants. Europe has historically been at the forefront in research into cyanobacterial N2 fixation and it is anticipated that the synergism gained through sponsored collaborative research will enable this position to be maintained into the next millennium. Over 40 leading scientists from 13 different countries have expressed a wish for their teams to be included in this programme and areas have been identified at the cutting edge of this field that are particularly suited to collaborative European research. These cover both free-living and symbiotic cyanobacteria and both laboratory and natural communities. Included among these areas are: regulation of N2 fixation, nitrogenases, uptake and release of nitrogen compounds, effects of O2 and other stresses, gene transfer systems and cell differentiation. Proposed activities include fellowships, summer schools, workshops and travel grants and the CYANOFIX Programme will run for five years.
News
A final conference, on Nitrogen fixation in cyanobacteria: from molecules to ecological systems, was organised in Tomar, Portugal, on 25-28 September 2002.
