- Physiology and ecology of seaweeds
- Experimental marine biology
ORCID number: 0000-0002-3214-4354
Prof. Dr. Klaas Timmermans
‘Seaweed on a plate of … seaweed’
Experimental marine biologist professor Klaas Timmermans cannot predict exactly when it will happen, but he is convinced that it will happen one day. Sooner or later, seaweed will also be on the menu in the Netherlands. And perhaps you will eat that seaweed from a bowl that has been produced from seaweed too!
Ferns in the sea
‘Together with my colleagues, I study the biology of seaweed. For example, we are investigating how sexual reproduction takes place in seaweed. Seaweed is a plant, but it does not reproduce like most plants on land with flowers and pollen. Instead, seaweed is more akin to ferns that reproduce through spores. We are investigating in detail under which light and temperature conditions brown seaweeds reproduce best. Thanks to that knowledge, seaweed farms will soon be able to obtain new plants for their production throughout the entire year.’
Sustainable protein
‘Whereas we provide the fundamental knowledge about the growth and reproduction of seaweed, others – for example, seaweed farmers – will need to put this to practical use. If we want to continue sustainably feeding the growing number of people on earth in the future, then we will really need to search for alternative protein sources. Once the valuable proteins have been extracted from seaweed, a fraction remains that can be used to produce “low-grade” biogas, for example. Finally, the fibres from seaweed can, in theory, be used in a 3D printer to produce a wide range of high-value products, such as bowls for the seaweed salad.’
Read more +Current positions
• Senior scientist ecophysiology of seaweeds, head of Department Estuarine and Delta Systems (EDS) at NIOZ(-Yerseke)
• Honorary Professor University Groningen
Specialization
Understanding the role of seaweeds in the marine environment, including the possibilities for seaweed biomass as source for sustainable food and energy for the future.
Research interests
The overarching goal in my research is to arrive at insight in the effects of the biotic and abiotic environment, including changes therein (e.g. global warming, ocean acidification, sea level rise), on physiology, ecology and diversity of marine photo-autotrophes, particularly seaweeds. In recent years, I studied for example nutrient uptake in native North Sea seaweeds and their effects on growth, the possibilities to use seaweeds as producers of high value products (pigments, proteins, polysaccharides), the effects of hydrodynamics on morphology and cellular composition and the optimalisation of biofilters using seaweeds.
Personal motivation
Water and particularly salt water have always fascinated me. Having the opportunity to work in the marine environment is like a dream come true. Early in my career as biologist, I came to the conclusion that experimental work is the way forward in (marine) physiology. The organisms with which I work cannot talk. By subjecting them to varying experimental conditions they “tell” me what their condition is, they indicated whether they are functioning optimally or not. Experiments are the constant factor in my work. I started with experimental work with chironomid (midge) larvae in the freshwater (PhD at U. Amsterdam), studying the effects of cadmium, lead, zinc and copper on their physiology and ecology. At NIOZ (post-doc and later as scientist), I investigated the effects of ultra-low iron concentrations on Southern Ocean phytoplankton. During this time, I have spent more than 1 year at sea, from the North Sea via the Atlantic Ocean to Southern Ocean, and I have been to 4 times to Antarctica. Currently my research focus has shifted to seaweeds. I initiated the establishment of the NIOZ Seaweed centre an ideal environment for experimental work on seaweeds. Experiments are ranging from nutrient uptake, to CO2 manipulation to experiments in which seaweeds are subjected to different hydrodynamic conditions. In combination with observations (and experiments!) in the field, the information collected gives me insight in the role of biotic and abiotic conditions on the organisms I study.
Currently I am also motivated to teach the younger generations of scientists: from lectures to internships, conveying my enthusiasm and dedication for marine biology and ecophysiology. Teaching that only with proper fundamental knowledge we can start to think about applications. With all current attention and interest for seaweeds, for example on their role in a marine biobased economy, the need for basic fundamental research is obvious. Only with that knowledge we can start to think about their applications, for example in using seaweed biomass as resource for sustainable food and energy for the future.
Education
Klaas R. Timmermans received his Masters degree in Biology (cum laude) at the University of Amsterdam in 1986. From 1986–1991, he did his PhD on the effects of trace metals on Chironomid larvae (University of Amsterdam). In 1991 he defended his PhD-thesis entitled “Trace metal ecotoxicokinetics of chironomids” As of 1991, Klaas Timmermans works as a (senior) scientist at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), first within the Department of Marine Chemistry & Geology, from 2008- 2016 in the Department of Biological Oceanography (head of department 2011-2016), and from 2016 onwards in the Department Estuarine and Delta Systems, (head of department), NIOZ-Yerseke.
As of 1 September 2014 Klaas Timmermans is appointed as honorary professor Marine Plant Biomass in the Department of Ocean Ecosystems, with in ESRIG, Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen at Groningen University (Faculty Science and Engineering).
Linked news
Linked blogs
NIOZ publications
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2023
Derksen, G.C.H.; Blommaert, L.; Bastiaens, L.; Hasserbetçi, C.; Fremouw, R.; van Groenigen, J.; Twijnstra, R.H.; Timmermans, K.R. (2023). ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis as a rapid tool to infer the biochemical composition of Ulva laetevirens (Chlorophyta). Front. Mar. Sci. 10: 1154461. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1154461Jansen, H.M.; van der Burg, S.W.K.; van Duren, L.A.; Kamermans, P.; Poelman, M.; Steins, N.A.; Timmermans, K.R. (2023). Food for thought: A realistic perspective on the potential for offshore aquaculture in the Dutch North Sea. J. Sea Res. 191: 102323. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2022.102323Vissers, C.; Lindell, S.R.; Nuzhdin, S.V.; Almada, A.A.; Timmermans, K. (2024). Using sporeless sporophytes as a next step towards upscaling offshore kelp cultivation. J. Appl. Phycol. 36: 313-320. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10811-023-03123-8
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2022
Biggs, T.E.G.; Rozema, P.D.; Evans, C.; Timmermans, K.R.; Meredith, M.P.; Pond, D.W.; Brussaard, C.P.D. (2022). Control of Antarctic phytoplankton community composition and standing stock by light availability. Polar Biol. 45(11): 1635-1653. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-022-03094-5Coleman, B.; Van Poucke, C.; De Witte, B.; Ruttens, A.; Moerdijk-Poortvliet, T.C.W.; Latsos, C.; De Reu, K.; Blommaert, L.; Duquenne, B.; Timmermans, K.; van Houcke, J.; Muylaert, K.; Robbens, J. (2022). Potential of microalgae as flavoring agents for plant-based seafood alternatives. Future Foods 5: 100139. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fufo.2022.100139Jiang, L,; Blommaert, L.; Jansen, H.M.; Broch, O.J.; Timmermans, K.R.; Soetaert, K. (2022). Carrying capacity of Saccharina latissima cultivation in a Dutch coastal bay: a modelling assessment. ICES J. Mar. Sci./J. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 79(3): 709-721. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac023Jiang, L.; Jansen, H.M.; Broch, O.J.; Timmermans, K.R.; Soetaert, K. (2022). Modelling spatial variability of cultivated Saccharina latissima in a Dutch coastal bay shows benefits of co-cultivation with shellfish. ICES J. Mar. Sci./J. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 79(8): 2324-2335. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac176Latsos, C.; Wassenaar, E.; Moerdijk, T.; Coleman, B.; Robbens, J.; van Roy, S.; Bastiaens, L.; van Houcke, J.; Timmermans, K.R. (2022). Effect of pH on Rhodomonas salina growth, biochemical composition, and taste, produced in semi-large scale under sunlight conditions. J. Appl. Phycol. 34(3): 1215-1226. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10811-022-02730-1Moerdijk-Poortvliet, T.C.W.; de Jong, D.L.C.; Fremouw, R.; de Reu, S.; de Winter, J.M.; Timmermans, K.; Mol, G.; Reuter, N.; Derksen, G.C.H. (2022). Extraction and analysis of free amino acids and 5′-nucleotides, the key contributors to the umami taste of seaweed. Food Chemistry 370: 131352. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131352van Groenigen, J.; Derksen, G.C.H.; Timmermans, K. (2022). Review of presence, induction and isolation of major cellular constituents from Porphyra Sensu Lato (Rhodophyceae), including Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids (MAA's). AAPS Journal 4(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.36959/917/491Ye, Naihao; Han, Wentao; Toseland, Andrew; Wang, Yitao; Fan, Xiao; Xu, Dong; van Oosterhout, Cock; Aslam, Shazia N.; Barry, Kerrie; Beszteri, Bank; Brussaard, Corina; Clum, Alicia; Copeland, Alex; Daum, Chris; Duncan, Anthony; Eloe-Fadrosh, Emiley; Fong, Allison; Foster, Brian; Foster, Bryce; Ginzburg, Michael; Huntemann, Marcel; Ivanova, Natalia N.; Kyrpides, Nikos C.; Martin, Kara; Moulton, Vincent; Mukherjee, Supratim; Palaniappan, Krishnaveni; Reddy, T. B. K.; Roux, Simon; Schmidt, Katrin; Strauss, Jan; Timmermans, Klaas; Tringe, Susannah G.; Underwood, Graham J. C.; Valentin, Klaus U.; van de Poll, Willem H.; Varghese, Neha; Grigoriev, Igor V.; Tagliabue, Alessandro; Zhang, Jian; Zhang, Yan; Ma, Jian; Qiu, Huan; Li, Youxun; Zhang, Xiaowen; Mock, Thomas; Sea of Change Consortium (2022). The role of zinc in the adaptive evolution of polar phytoplankton. Nature Ecology & Evolution 6(7): 965-978. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-022-01750-x
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2021
de Jong, D.L.C.; Timmermans, K.R.; de Winter, J.M.; Derksen, G.C.H. (2021). Effects of nutrient availability and light intensity on the sterol content of Saccharina latissima (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae). J. Appl. Phycol. 33: 1101-1113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-020-02359-yEbbing, A.P.J.; Fivash, G.S.; Bellido Martin, N.; Pierik, R.; Bouma, T.J.; Kromkamp, J.C.; Timmermans, K.R. (2021). In-culture selection and the potential effects of changing sex ratios on the reproductive success of multiannual delayed gametophytes of Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 9(11): 1250. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jmse9111250Ebbing, A.P.J.; Fivash, G.S.; Pierik, R.; Bouma, T.J.; Kromkamp, J.; Timmermans, K. (2022). The SeaCoRe system for large scale kelp aquaculture: a plug-and-play, compatible, open-source system for the propagation and transport of clonal gametophyte cultures. J. Appl. Phycol. 34: 517-527. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02638-2Ebbing, A.P.J.; Pierik, R.; Fivash, G.S.; van de Loosdrecht, N.C.J.; Bouma, T.J.; Kromkamp, J.C.; Timmermans, K. (2021). The role of seasonality in reproduction of multiannual delayed gametophytes of Saccharina latissima. J. Phycol. 57(5): 1580-1589. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13191Latsos, C.; Bakratsas, G.; Moerdijk, T.; van Houcke, J.; Timmermans, K.R. (2021). Effect of salinity and pH on growth, phycoerythrin, and non-volatile umami taste active compound concentration of Rhodomonas salina using a D-optimal design approach. J. Appl. Phycol. 33: 3591-3602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02547-4Latsos, C.; van Houcke, J.; Blommaert, L.; Verbeeke, G.P.; Kromkamp, J.; Timmermans, K.R. (2021). Effect of light quality and quantity on productivity and phycoerythrin concentration in the cryptophyte Rhodomonas sp. J. Appl. Phycol. 33(2): 729-741. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-020-02338-3Martin, K.; Schmidt, K.; Toseland, A.; Boulton, C.A.; Barry, K.; Beszteri, B.; Brussaard, C.P.D.; Clum, A.; Daum, C.G.; Eloe-Fadrosh, E.; Fong, A.; Foster, B.; Foster, B.; Ginzburg, M.; Huntemann, M.; Ivanova, N.N.; Kyrpides, N.C.; Lindquist, E.; Mukherjee, S.; Palaniappan, K.; Reddy, T.B.K.; Rizkallah, M.R.; Roux, S.; Timmermans, K.; Tringe, S.G.; van de Poll, W.H.; Varghese, N.; Valentin, K.U.; Lenton, T.M.; Grigoriev, I.V.; Leggett, R.M.; Moulton, V.; Mock, T. (2021). The biogeographic differentiation of algal microbiomes in the upper ocean from pole to pole. Nature Comm. 12(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25646-9Zhu, G.; Ebbing, A.; Bouma, T.J.; Timmermans, K.R. (2021). Morphological and physiological plasticity of Saccharina latissima (Phaeophyceae) in response to different hydrodynamic conditions and nutrient availability. J. Appl. Phycol. 33(4): 2471-2483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02428-wZhu, Q.; Zhu, Z.; Nauta, R.; Timmermans, K.R.; Jiang, L.; Cai, Y.; Yang, Z.; Gerkema, T. (2021). Impact of off-bottom seaweed cultivation on turbulent variation in the hydrodynamic environment: A flume experiment study with mimic and natural Saccharina latissima thalli. Sci. Total Environ. 797: 149048. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149048
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2020
de Smit, J.; Kleinhans, M.G.; Gerkema, T.; Timmermans, K.R.; Bouma, T.J. (2020). Introducing the TiDyWAVE field flume: A method to quantify natural ecosystem resilience against future storm waves. Limnol. Oceanogr., Methods 18(10): 585-598. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10386Ebbing, A.; Pierik, R.; Bouma, T.J.; Kromkamp, J.C.; Timmermans, K. (2020). How light and biomass density influence the reproduction of delayed Saccharina latissima gametophytes (Phaeophyceae). J. Phycol. 56(3): 709-718. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpy.12976Latsos, C.; van Houcke, J.; Timmermans, K.R. (2020). The Effect of Nitrogen Starvation on Biomass Yield and Biochemical Constituents of Rhodomonas sp. Front. Mar. Sci. 7: 900. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.563333Lubsch, A.; Timmermans, K.R. (2020). Phosphate and nitrate uptake dynamics in Palmaria palmata (Rhodophyceae): Ecological and physiological aspects of nutrient availability. J. Phycol. 56(5): 1184-1195. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13018Patyshakuliyeva, A.; Falkoski, D.; Wiebenga, A.; Timmermans, K.; de Vries, R.P. (2020). Macroalgae derived fungi have high abilities to degrade algal polymers. Microorganisms 8(1): 52. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8010052Wijers, T.; Hylkema, A.; Visser, T.; Timmermans, K. (2020). Effects of preservation on protein extraction in four seaweed species. J. Appl. Phycol. 32: 3401-3409. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10811-020-02197-y
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2019
Bertolini, C.; Capelle, J.; Timmermans, K.; Bouma, T.J.; van de Koppel, J. (2019). Timing it right: Non-consumptive effects on prey recruitment magnify overtime. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 513: 47-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2019.03.001Mortelmans, J.; Deneudt, K.; Cattrijsse, A.; Beauchard, O.; Daveloose, I.; Vyverman, W.; Vanaverbeke, J.; Timmermans, K.; Peene, J.; Roose, P.; Knockaert, M.; Chou, L.; Sanders, R.; Stinchcombe, M.; Kimpe, P.; Lammens, S.; Theetaert, H.; Gkritzalis, T.; Hernandez, F.; Mees, J. (2019). Nutrient, pigment, suspended matter and turbidity measurements in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Scientific Data 6(1): 22. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41597-019-0032-7Timmermans, K.R.; Lubsch, A. (2019). Uptake kinetics and storage capacity of dissolved inorganic phosphorus and corresponding dissolved inorganic nitrate uptake in Saccharina latissima and Laminaria digitata (Phaeophyceae). J. Phycol. 55(3): 637-650. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpy.12844
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2018
Lubsch, A.; Timmermans, K. (2018). Uptake kinetics and storage capacity of dissolved inorganic phosphorus and corresponding N:P dynamics in Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta). J. Phycol. 54(2): 215-223. https://dx.doi.org/10.4121/uuid:8b5f7d71-27f3-4b92-b599-2cb3ac76d0aaLuttikhuizen, P.C.; van den Heuvel, F.H.M.; Rebours, C.; Witte, H.J.; van Bleijswijk, J.D.L.; Timmermans, K. (2018). Strong population structure but no equilibrium yet: Genetic connectivity and phylogeography in the kelp Saccharina latissima (Laminariales, Phaeophyta). Ecol. Evol. 8(8): 4265-4277. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3968van der Molen, J.; Ruardij, P.; Mooney, K.; Kerrison, P.; O'Connor, N.E.; Gorman, E.; Timmermans, K.; Wright, S.; Kelly, M.; Hughes, A.D.; Capuzzo (2018). Modelling potential production of macroalgae farms in UK and Dutch coastal waters. Biogeosciences 15(4): 1123-1147. https://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-1123-2018
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2017
Fernand, F.; Israel, A.; Skjermo, J.; Wichard, T.; Timmermans, K. (2017). Offshore macroalgae biomass for bioenergy production: Environmental aspects, technological achievements and challenges. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 75: 35-45. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.10.046Lubsch, A.; Timmermans, K. (2017). Texture analysis of Laminaria digitata (Phaeophyceae) thallus reveals trade-off between tissue tensile strength and toughness along lamina. Bot. Mar. 60(2). https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2016-0075
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2015
Gerringa, L.J.A.; Rijkenberg, M.J.A.; Laan, P. ; Timmermans, K.R. (2015). Cycles in the ocean. Mar. Chem. 177(Part 3): 409-410. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2015.08.006Gledhill, M.; Gerringa, L.J.A.; Laan, P.; Timmermans, K.R. (2015). Heme b quotas are low in Southern Ocean phytoplankton. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 532: 29-40. dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps11345Mojica, K.D.A.; van de Poll, W.H.; Kehoe, M.; Huisman, J.; Timmermans, K.R.; Buma, A.G.J.; Van der Woerd, H.J.; Hahn-Woernle, L.; Dijkstra, H.A.; Brussaard, C.P.D. (2015). Phytoplankton community structure in relation to vertical stratification along a north-south gradient in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, in: Mojica, K.D.A. Viral lysis of marine microbes in relation to vertical stratification. pp. 75-116Mojica, K.D.A.; van de Poll, W.H.; Kehoe, M.; Huisman, J.; Timmermans, K.R.; Buma, A.G.J.; Van der Woerd, H.J.; Hahn-Woernle, L.; Dijkstra, H.A.; Brussaard, C.P.D. (2015). Phytoplankton community structure in relation to vertical stratification along a north-south gradient in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Limnol. Oceanogr. 60(5): 1498–1521. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lno.10113Peperzak, L.; van der Woerd, H.J.; Timmermans, K.R. (2015). Disparities between in situ and optically derived carbon biomassand growth rates of the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis globosa. Biogeosciences 12: 1659-1670. dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1659-2015
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2014
Maat, D.S.; Crawfurd, K.J.; Timmermans, K.R.; Brussaard, C.P.D. (2014). Elevated CO2 and Phosphate Limitation Favor Micromonas pusilla through Stimulated Growth and Reduced Viral Impact. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 80(10): 3119-3127. dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.03639-13Timmermans, K.R.; Brinkhuis, H. (2014). Zeewier, in: Het beste idee van 2014. pp. 69-71
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2013
van de Poll, W.H.; Kulk, G.; Timmermans, K.R.; Brussaard, C.P.D.; van der Woerd, H.J.; Kehoe, M.J.; Mojica, K.D.A.; Visser, R.J.W.; Rozema, P.D.; Buma, A.G.J. (2013). Phytoplankton chlorophyll a biomass, composition, and productivity along a temperature and stratification gradient in the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Biogeosciences 10(6): 4227-4240. dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-4227-2013
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2012
Hoogstraten, A.; Peters, M.; Timmermans, K.R.; de Baar, H.J.W. (2012). Combined effects of inorganic carbon and light on Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel (Prymnesiophyceae). Biogeosciences 9(5): 1885-1896. dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-9-1885-2012Hoogstraten, A.; Timmermans, K.R.; de Baar, H.J.W. (2012). Morphological and Physiological Effects in Proboscia Alata (Bacillariophyceae)Grown under Different Light and CO2 Conditions of the Modern Southern Ocean. J. Phycol. 48(3): 559-568. dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2012.01148.x
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2011
Peperzak, L.; Timmermans, K.R.; Wernand, M.R.; Oosterhuis, S.; van der Woerd, H.J. (2011). A mesocosm tool to optically study phytoplankton dynamics. Limnol. Oceanogr., Methods 9: 232-244. dx.doi.org/10.4319/lom.2011.9.232
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