Marine Microbial Interactions Across Scales

Micro-algae greatly influence present and past oceans. Recently we have come to realize that bacteria interact with micro-algae in various ways, ranging from mutualism to pathogenicity. Research in my group investigates physical and chemical interactions between micro-algae and bacteria across multiple scales; from the chemical crosstalk to the influence these interactions have on the marine environment.

In my talk I will introduce Emiliania huxleyi, the most prevalent micro-alga in modern oceans. I will discuss the role of bacteria as hidden farmers that control the life cycle of algae, determining how fast algae will grow and how fast they will die. I will link laboratory findings to work conducted at sea and demonstrate the importance of these findings in the study of proxies for climate reconstructions.