Award: OCE-1131770

The project investigated the interaction of a harmful bloom forming algal species, Pseudo-nitzschia, and its microbiome (associated bacteria). The results showed that the growth and toxin production of the algae are significantly influenced by the microbiome. Each species has its own group of microbiome. Native microbiome supports the fitness of the host algal species and the presence of foreign bacteria may deter the growth of alga and increase the production of algal toxin, domoic acid. The research also showed the interaction of bacteria and algae can be achieved through communication through small chemical molecules that diffuse outside the cell membrane, called quorum sensing. Algae attract their microbiome by excretion of organic algal exudates that can be utilized by specific bacteria. The discovery of the host-specificity of microbiome features as well as the characterization of microbiome members based on genetic relation and function shed light not only on the fundamental of microbial ecology in the aquatic environment but also provide insight to co-evolution of algae-microbiome associations, microbiome population dynamics, and survival strategies utilized by aquatic microbiome members. In addition to the contributions to the scientific field, the results of this study could potentially be utilized to develop improved harmful algal bloom management tools. Two female postdoctoral researchers were trained in this project. One of them has successfully moved onto a tenure track faculty position. The project also offered research opportunity to five undergraduate students. The results of the research were incorporated into general education materials in the public outreach program to teach the community about the natural of harmful algal blooms. Last Modified: 09/29/2014 Submitted by: Sunny Jiang