Our research aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various ways in which marine bacteria interact with algae, and how these interactions trigger cellular responses in each participant. Algal-bacterial interactions can include physical attachment and the secretion of organic and inorganic molecules. To investigate these processes in controlled settings, 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. By using a combination of model systems and multi-disciplinary approaches from microbiology and Earth sciences, we are able to observe and analyze the interactions and the various manners that they impact algae, bacteria, and the environment.
