A Close-Up on Algal-Bacterial Interactions

Our research aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various ways in which marine bacteria interact with algae. These interactions can include physical attachment and the secretion of organic and inorganic molecules. To investigate these interactions in a controlled setting, we use laboratory model systems that mimic the conditions found in the ocean. Our model systems range from simple algal-bacterial co-cultures to more complex synthetic communities, and we employ an array of approaches from microbiology and Earth sciences to study them. By using a combination of algal-bacterial model systems and a multi-disciplinary scientific approach, we are able to observe and analyze the metabolic exchange and spatial association between algae and bacteria.