Research OverviewMarine Microbial Ecology Marine microbial ecology refers to complex interactions among and between microorganisms and their ocean or saltwater environments. Many marine microorganisms such as bacteria and plankton are subject to infections by viruses. These interactions have important implications for higher organisms that depend on these microbes for their own survival, and also provides potential methods for biological control and bioremediation. Bacteriophages Bacteriophages are naturally occurring viruses that prey upon bacteria, and represent a highly specific and environmentally friendly way to control viruses without harming other organisms.
| Research Description Research Area: Marine microbial ecology
Research Specialties: Ecological interaction among marine microbes (viruses, bacteria and phytoplankton); phylogenetic diversity and molecular evolution of marine microbes; whole cell or in situ molecular detection; functional genes and microbial genome. Research Interests My current research interests focus on three main areas: 1) the role of marine viruses on microbial mortality and diversification; 2) population dynamics of virio- and bacterio-plankton in the Chesapeake Bay over time and space; 3) microbial genomics and community proteomics: a goal to understand microbial function and microgeochemical processes in nature. Bacteria and bacteriophage are the two most abundant biological components in the sea. Viral lysis of bacteria and production of phage particles occurs continuously in seawater. Marine viruses are known to play a key role on regulating microbial biomass and production. However, little is known about the role of marine viruses on microbial population structure, genetic diversification, and genomic evolution. Our lab uses... Complete Information... |
Representative PublicationsKan, J., M. Suzuki, K. Wang, S.E. Evans, F. Chen. 2007. High temporal but low spatial heterogeneity of bacterioplankton in the Chesapeake Bay. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. In press.
Wang, K. and F. Chen. 2007. Prevalence of highly host-specific cyanophages in the estuarine environment. Environ. Microbiol. In press. Jiao, N. Z., Y. Zhang, Y. H. Zeng, P. X. Wang, R. Liu, X. D. Tang, F. Chen, and Q. Li. 2007. Deviation in abundance and diversity of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria in the ocean. Environ. Microbiol. In press. Complete Listing... |
