Abstract

Eukaryotic phytoplankton have long been recognized as important components of the marine photosynthetic assemblage.  Diatoms in particular contribute on the order of 25% of total primary production, even more in coastal and upwelling systems. Many eukaryotic phytoplankton are easily identifiable by light microscopy, and can be cleanly distinguished by HPLC pigment analysis.  These methodological advantages mean we have much more information about their community composition and dynamics than has ever been possible for bacteria and other smaller cells.  Major advances in molecular biology have only recently made diversity and community dynamics studies possible for microbes.  The same kinds of tools can also provide high resolution high throughput  analysis of phytoplankton dynamics, beyond that possible from the microscopy and HPLC approaches.  In this presentation, I will introduce the Phytoarray, which allows detection of phytoplankton types based on the presence and expression of individual genes that are important in biogeochemical transformations, e.g., carbon fixation and nitrogen assimilation.  The array can be used to investigate community composition and response to environmental factors, and has already yielded some surprising findings about the biogeography of major phytoplankton groups.

Light refreshments are served in the Interaction Area (4th floor of the Oceanography/Physics Building) at 4:00 p.m.

All seminars begin at 3:00 p.m. and are held in room 200 of the Oceanography/Physics building.