Research project N2-fixing planktonic symbioses: Biogeochemically significant models to study molecular [...]

Diatoms are one widespread and important group of phytoplankton. Most diatoms reside in coastal waters, while others thrive in nutrient poor waters by forming partnerships, or symbioses, with N2-fixing cyanobacteria. The cyanobacterial symbiont reduces N2 gas into bioavailable N for their hosts, while also fertilizing the surrounding community. This project aims to identify the genetic content, or genome, of the host diatoms for the first time. Genomes are like ‘blue prints’ of a cells’ potential, where content and gene order are a reflection of evolution. The proposed research combines a variety of methods, including single cell technologies so that activity, messages (transcripts), and identity of genes are linked to the partner cells.

The PI for this research project is a Wallenberg Academy Fellow, Rachel Foster, and the research is funded by an external grant of 8 750 000 SEK, from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.