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In the oceans, marine viruses play a central role in the energy and nutrient cycles. Further, they are key drives of evolutionary processes, as they carry out horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between microbial hosts. As well as increasing microbial diversity by selectively killing the dominant microbial host, preventing the dominance of a single host.
Yet over our knowledge of marine viruses is primarily from dsDNA phages infecting prokaryotes. Knowledge on DNA and RNA viruses within marine eukaryotes and in particular corals remains limited. The focus of our research is therefore to fill this dearth in knowledge on the ecology and evolution of marine viruses. |
Ecosystem of Interest
OUR RESEARCH
Microbes, including bacteria and archaea, dominate ocean ecosystems and are essential for various biogeochemical processes. However, their lifestyles are modulated by viruses. Our research focuses on understanding the ecology and evolution of viruses in the oceans (coastal and open ocean) ecosystems. Ocean waters sustain human activities and support diverse marine life, including corals, which constitute less than 1% of the coastal ecosystem but hosts the highest biodiversity on Earth.
Surprisingly, little is known about the role of viruses especially within marine eukaryotes. To address this gap in knowledge, our lab employs a multi-prong approach, that involves, computational biology approaches (‘dry lab’), omics-(metaT-metaG-metaProt-metabolomic) ('wet lab') approaches. In addition, to in vivo and in situ virus-symbiont-coral co-culture experiments to qualitative and quantitative assess the impact/or roles of viruses within marine eukaryotes under various anthropogenic stresses.
Our goal is to uncover the intricate relationships between viruses and various ocean life forms, shedding light on their importance in ecology, evolution, ecosystem health and resilience within the global Oceans.
Surprisingly, little is known about the role of viruses especially within marine eukaryotes. To address this gap in knowledge, our lab employs a multi-prong approach, that involves, computational biology approaches (‘dry lab’), omics-(metaT-metaG-metaProt-metabolomic) ('wet lab') approaches. In addition, to in vivo and in situ virus-symbiont-coral co-culture experiments to qualitative and quantitative assess the impact/or roles of viruses within marine eukaryotes under various anthropogenic stresses.
Our goal is to uncover the intricate relationships between viruses and various ocean life forms, shedding light on their importance in ecology, evolution, ecosystem health and resilience within the global Oceans.