Speaker: Dr. Elaine Luo, Assistant Professor in the School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Sustainability Sciences at Stony Brook University.
Title: Linking microbial diversity to carbon cycling
Abstract: Microbial engines drive biogeochemical cycles, such as carbon cycling, that sustain life on our planet. Although metagenomic studies have revealed an unprecedented amount microbial diversity in the ocean, linking microbial sequence diversity (stock) to their key biogeochemical processes (rates) remains challenging, particularly in under-sampled marine environments that lack reference databases. This bottleneck prevents effective interpretation of sequencing data to identify microbial function, activity, and biogeochemical impacts. Here, I present work combining metagenomics with stable isotope probing to link microbial diversity to carbon cycling activity. Then, I show how we might use these experimental data to identify the genetic and molecular basis behind microbial carbon fixation efficiency. Finally, I present work on microbial processes impacting carbon export to the abyssal ocean. Taken together, our research identifies key players and interactions involved in carbon cycling in the ocean.