C3 Seminar: Jed Fuhrman

Abstract

After a brief summary outlining history leading to the current state of marine microbiology, the talk will in large part address the dynamics of a broad array of microbes (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, viruses), primarily by time series studies (ranging sub-daily to monthly for 20 years). Approaches range from classical to metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, with focused data from marker gene studies (16S/18S rRNA, ITS, virus markers) carefully validated quantitatively with mock communities and also shotgun metagenomics. Long-term monthly data shows the free-living prokaryotes at the surface show surprising stability of the average microbial community composition, with a superimposed seasonality. Deeper, protistan, and attached microbial communities show more variability. Viruses studied metagenomically also have an unexpected overall long-term stability near the “species” level, but when examined at the “strain” level have a constant churn of variants, resembling “Red Queen” dynamics, suggesting valuable insights about long-term virus-host coexistence. Despite long-term stability, the microbial community responds rapidly to events like the spring bloom. Many potential interactions can be statistically inferred from the dynamics.

About Professor Jed Fuhrman

Professor Jed Fuhrman is the McCulloch-Crosby Chair of Marine Biology at the University of Southern California. He studies the ecological and biogeochemical roles and impacts of marine microbes including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and protists, by both classical and modern ‘omics approaches. 

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Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.