Project description
Microbial support of the aquatic ecosystems
Bacterial interactions with eukaryotic phytoplankton are ubiquitous in marine ecosystems, while occurring reciprocal exchange of metabolites is mutually beneficial. Understanding the dynamics of these interactions is essential for the evaluation of the impact of bacterial communities in marine biogeochemical cycles. The EU-funded Microsyndia project aims to evaluate the potential role of diazotrophic bacteria in fulfilling the nutrient demands of algae in nitrogen-limited environments. The objective is to establish a model microbial system of marine heterotrophic diazotroph with an obligate dependency on photosynthetically fixed carbon, and a diatom, which relies on nitrogen fixed by the diazotroph. The results will uncover the connection of the structure, dynamics and function of microbial consortia that supports aquatic ecosystems.
Objective
Bacterial interactions with eukaryotic phytoplankton are ubiquitous in marine ecosystems. The basis of many of these interactions is a reciprocal exchange of metabolites that mutually benefits the organisms involved. Under diffusion limitation, such relationships typically require close spatial coupling between the two partners. How long these intimate interactions must endure for a sustained exchange to occur is unclear and challenges our judgement of what truly constitutes a symbiosis.
Understanding the dynamics of syntrophic interactions is essential to understand the impact of bacterial communities in marine biogeochemical cycles. With this proposal, I intend to evaluate the potential role of diazotrophic bacteria in alleviating the nutrient demands of algae in nitrogen-limited environments.
To achieve this, I plan to establish a model microbial system with a marine heterotrophic diazotroph, which has an obligate dependency on photosynthetically fixed carbon, and a diatom, which relies on nitrogen fixed by the diazotroph. I will construct a microfluidic bioreactor to enable detailed monitoring of the spatiotemporal distribution of bacteria and diatom cells during long-term culturing. Integrating this microenvironment with stable-isotope probing and Raman microscopy will allow me to quantify carbon and nitrogen uptake and transfer rates between partners. By relating microbial behaviour to single-cell activity rates, this project will offer invaluable information connecting the structure, dynamics and function of microbial consortia, and thereby provide robust insights into the basal ecological functioning that supports aquatic ecosystems.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyphycology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesethologybiological interactions
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrologylimnology
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland