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SUMMARY:Algal-bacterial interactions at a distance - Francois Peaudecerf (
 University of Cambridge)
DTSTART:20150305T120000Z
DTEND:20150305T130000Z
UID:TALK57420@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Salvatore Tesoro
DESCRIPTION:Microbial interactions are often predicated on metabolism: e.g
 . auxotrophs depend on nutrients made by other microbes. Many algae are vi
 tamin auxotrophs\, with several known species requiring exogenous vitamin 
 B12 [1]. This vitamin must be obtained from bacteria\, as only they can sy
 nthesise it. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated mutualistic interact
 ions between bacteria and B12-dependent algae. Populations of the bacteriu
 m Mesorhizobium loti (B12 producer\, carbon requirer) and the green alga L
 obomonas rostrata (B12 requirer\, carbon producer) in co-culture stabilise
  to an algae/bacteria ratio of 1/30\, independent of initial inoculum rati
 o [2].\n\nHere we consider the interactions between microbial populations 
 separated in space. Experiments on hard agarose indicate that mutualistic 
 interactions exist at a distance. We present a mathematical model capturin
 g the essence of these experiments: growing populations of algae and bacte
 ria coupled by a diffusive channel. Solutions to the model reveal rich dyn
 amics. We will discuss these and speculate on the ecological significance 
 of our findings for understanding environmental biofilms and microbial mat
 s.\n\n[1] Croft\, M. T. et al. Nature 483:90–93 (2005)\n[2] Kazamia\, E.
  et al. Environ. Microbiol. 14\, 1466 (2012)
LOCATION:TCM Seminar room\, 530 Mott building
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