The Microbial Ecology of the Marine Environment (MEME) Lab
Microbes are important for the marine environment as they often form symbiotic relationships with higher organisms, such as seaweeds or sponges. Our laboratory is interested in understanding how these symbioses work to support the health and function of their host organisms.
We apply this knowledge to the discovery and development of new biotechnologies for both environmental and industrial applications. Within our research groups we use a range of techniques, including classical microbiology, molecular biology, biodiversity assessments, genomics and bioinformatics. Examples of specific projects we are currently undertaking include:
- Development of probiotics for seaweed and lobster aquaculture
- Molecular mechanisms of bacteria-seaweed interactions
- Microbial carbon fixation in sponges
- Production of nitrous oxide by microbes in sponges and ascidians
- Molecular factors controlling sponge-bacteria symbiosis
- New methods to cultivate marine bacteria
- Discovery of new antibiotics from marine microbes
- Understanding the diversity and function of microbial symbionts of marine organisms.
