ESR6: Development of methods for detection of viruses in aquatic environments and their interactions with bacteria in biofilms

Research Fellow: José Gonçalves, National Institute of Biology (Slovenia)

Objectives

ESR6 will quantify the importance of bacteria and viruses in biogeochemical cycle in aquatic hotspots.

Tasks and methodology

The ESR6 will combine laboratory and field experiments to study changes in microbial community composition at micro-scale level in water environments and biofilms. The changes in microbial productivity and community structure together with inorganic nutrients, dissolved organic carbon will be followed using classical methods, as well as microscopic, molecular (FISH, DGGE, qPCR) and radiolabelled methods (C-14, H-3, P-33). In collaboration with ER3 new qPCR protocols will be perfomed to quantifying dominant bacterial group and viruses in water environments, including those that originate from anthropogenic activity.

Supervisors

  • Valentina Turk, Maja Ravnikar, Ion Gutierrez (National Institute of Biology)
  • Co-Supervisor: Matjaz Hren (Biosistemika)

Video Introduction

Watch this short video of ESR6 José Gonçalves introducing himself and talking about his Interfaces project: