Coccolithophore microalgae have lived and died in the oceans throughout Earth's history, with their remains accumulating on the ocean floor. Throughout their lives, algae interact with bacteria in various manners that impact algal growth, mortality, and metabolism. We want to understand how algal physiology is influenced by microbial interactions, and how these processes impact algal relics that are found in the environment. We believe that a deeper understanding of algal physiology in the context of microbial interactions is needed for a better understanding of algal ecology in present, past, and future environments.
