The main focus of the LMAB is the research of organic matter, which is of great importance for biogeochemical carbon cycle and consequently on the climate change.

Given that in the last two centuries the global carbon cycle is seriously violated by intensive human activities, thus merriting extensive research, and objectives of LMAB are to investigate:

(i) reactions of phytoplankton, as the key factor in the trophic chain, to environmental stress (temperature, availability of nutrients, pollutants),

(ii) cellular and extracellular organic matter (lipids, polysaccharides, proteins, marine gels), which is important for determining the origin and dynamics of the organic matter; define their organization and structure at the molecular scale as well as mechanical properties,

(iii) surface properties of the cells on the nano and micrometer scale that are difficult to reach by other techniques and are crucial for understanding of interfacial process dynamics: biotic and abiotic,

(iv) the availability of organic matter for metals and nanoparticles,

(v) size distribution, properties and photochemical processing of atmospheric aerosol organic matter with the special emphasis on its nitro-aromatic constituents and interactions with the micro constituents,

(vi) sources, trans(formation) and exchange processes of organic matter at the natural sea water-atmosphere boundary region through specific organic tracers such as nitro-aromatics, and their distribution within the water column.