Dr Mike Allen is a Microbial Biochemist at Plymouth Marine Laboratory. His interests are varied and encompass both blue skies and applied research topics. Blue skies research focuses mainly on understanding the role of viruses in the ocean using genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. Applied research focuses on biocatalysis, biotransformation, bioprocessing and technology development.

Mike’s current academic research projects include co-evolution of coccolithophores and coccolithoviruses, sphingolipid biosynthesis, novel protein characterisation, lytic and latent phytoplankton viruses, phytoplankton and virus isolation. Applied projects include biofuel production and processing, water sanitation, high throughput liquid processing and the development of novel technologies for promoting microalgal growth.