“If you really want to study evolution, you’ve got go outside sometime, because you’ll see symbiosis everywhere!
LYNN MARGULIS
Welcome!
We are the Marine Symbiomes Research Group.
Basic science is at the heart of our work. We test hypotheses at the intersection of microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem ecology to uncover how host-microbe interactions drive organism and ecosystem functioning in the marine environment.
We embrace the concept of the symbiome—a complex biotic community where distinctive metaorganisms (hosts and their associated microbes) are interconnected through symbiotic interactions, ranging from loose associations to intimate partnerships. The symbiome develops and is maintained in a climax state under the environmental conditions of its habitat, shaping marine ecosystem dynamics.
Our recent study in Communications Biology shows that Posidonia oceanica leaves exhibit complete nitrogen cycling, with key transformations accelerating under ocean acidification. These microbial interactions are crucial for seagrass resilience in a changing ocean.
We are thrilled to share an extraordinary tale of deep-sea exploration and scientific discovery aboard the R/V Falkor (too), courtesy of our esteemed postdoc researcher, Germán Zapata Hernández.
We invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher to work with Dr Ulisse Cardini on “Positive species interactions and microbial ecology of seagrasses”.