Speaker: Dr. Einat Segev Weizmann Institute of Science

Title: "The Bacterial Influence on Algal Life, Death, and Environmental Signature."

Abstract:  Micro-algae have played key roles in shaping past oceans and continue to greatly influence the marine environment. Recent studies reveal that bacteria interact with micro-algae in various ways, ranging from pathogenicity to mutualism. My research investigates the physical and chemical interactions between micro-algae and bacteria across multiple scales, from the chemical crosstalk to the influence these interactions have on the marine environment.  In my talk, I will introduce Emiliania huxleyi, the most prevalent micro-alga in modern oceans. I will discuss the role of bacteria as algal farmers, controlling the life cycle of algae by determining how fast they will grow and how fast they will die. I will link laboratory findings to work conducted at sea and demonstrate the importance of these findings to the study of proxies for climate reconstructions.