Bacteria
Bacteria not only play pivotal roles in the cycling of chemical elements in terrestrial and aquatic environments but are also essential partners of many macro-organisms in these habitats, such as corals, sponges, insects and plants.
Within the RPA-HOSTMINT we will use a systems biology approach to obtain insight into (i) the role bacteria and eukaryotic microorganisms play in biogeochemical cycles, such as the sulfur and carbon cycle, (ii) the interactions between bacteria and macro-organisms such as corals, sponges, insects and plants, and (iii) the influence of climate change and eutrophication on bacterial processes in general and holobionts in particular.