Our research aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of how marine bacteria interact with algae and how these interactions trigger cellular responses in each participant. Algal-bacterial interactions can involve physical attachment and the secretion of organic and inorganic molecules. To investigate these processes in controlled settings, we use laboratory model systems that mimic ocean conditions. Our model systems range from simple algal-bacterial co-cultures to more complex synthetic communities. By employing a combination of model systems and multidisciplinary approaches from microbiology and Earth sciences, we can observe and analyze these interactions and their various impacts on algae, bacteria, and the environment.
