Research

Cells harness internal activity to organize their components and perform incredible feats, such as plants turning CO2 into sugar. To understand activity-driven phase transitions in living cells, Linnea Lemma studies the pyrenoid, a membrane-less organelle in photosynthetic algae. This organelle concentrates CO2 to enhance photosynthesis. Combining concepts from active matter physics and tools from molecular biology, she is uncovering physical principles for pyrenoid formation and function. These insights will advance our understanding of how cells use energy to bring about organization and life.