Download Molecular Microbial Ecology Symbiosis

Molecular Microbial Ecology
Symbiosis
Andreas Schramm
Building 1540-121, mobile 60 20 26 59
[email protected]
Background
Millions of microbial species on Earth sustain nature’s element cycles or interact in (mostly) beneficial ways
with macroorganisms; only few of these microbes are known to date. We use molecular methods to study
the identity, function, and regulating factors of microbes in nature, with a special focus on aquatic nitrogen
cycling, “electric microbes”, and symbiosis (in earthworms and marine invertebrates).
Methods
We use DNA/RNA-based methods ((RT-)PCR, cloning, fingerprints, phylogenetic sequence analyses,
fluorescence in situ hybridization), single-cell methods (laser micro-dissection, whole
genome amplification, single gene detection), chemical analysis (HPLC, GC etc.), and
collaborate for advanced bioinformatics/genome, proteome, and metabolite analyses.
Possible projects
1. Identity and Function of N-cycling Microbes in the Rhizosphere of (aquatic) Plants
2. Function and Evolution of Bacterial Symbionts of Earthworms
Previous projects
1. Microbiology of N2O Production from Marine and Freshwater Mussels
2. Identification of Nitrate-reducing Bacteria in a High-Temperature Oil Reservoir
3. Bacterial Endosymbionts in Marine Deuterostomes
Relevant literature
1. Stief, P., M. Poulsen, L.P. Nielsen, H. Brix, and A. Schramm. 2009. Nitrous oxide emission by aquatic
macrofauna. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 106: 4296-4300.
2. Herrmann, M., A.M. Saunders, and A. Schramm. 2009. Effect of Lake Trophic Status and Rooted
Macrophytes on Community Composition and Abundance of Ammonia-oxidizing Prokaryotes in
Freshwater Sediments. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75: 3127-3136.
3. Lund, M.B., K.U. Kjeldsen, M. Holmstrup, A. Schramm. 2009. Regnormens tro følgesvend. Aktuel
Naturvidenskab 4/2009: 24-28 (in Danish)