Publications by authors named "Giulia Daly"
The phycosphere is a unique niche that fosters complex interactions between microalgae and associated bacteria. The formation of this extracellular environment, and the associated bacterial biodiversity, is heavily influenced by the secretion of extracellular polymers, primarily driven by phototrophic organisms. The exopolysaccharides (EPS) represent the largest fraction of the microalgae-derived exudates, which can be specifically used by heterotrophic bacteria as substrates for metabolic processes.
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- Interactions between marine microalgae and heterotrophic bacteria significantly influence biogeochemical cycles and are crucial for various artificial systems.
- Recent advances in metabolomics have improved our ability to analyze the metabolites exchanged during these interactions, paving the way for a better understanding of these complex relationships.
- The authors highlight the importance of integrating -omics approaches with mathematical modeling to enhance data interpretation and generate new hypotheses about microalgal-bacterial interactions.
Article Synopsis
- Marine ecosystems feature complex interactions, with the microbial loop playing a crucial role by facilitating the exchange of dissolved organic matter (DOM) between phototrophic organisms (like phytoplankton) and heterotrophic bacteria.
- Phytoplankton, through processes such as the breakdown of dead cells and the active release of DOM, provide essential carbon and energy sources for bacteria, forming the backbone of oceanic food webs.
- A co-culture experiment involving the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and the bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis demonstrated that bacteria can effectively utilize carbon derived from diatoms, whether from dead cells or released compounds, and this interaction was accurately modeled to reflect their dynamics.
Despite the deep knowledge of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) gut microbiome, information on the microbial communities of other hive components is still scarce. Propolis originates from a natural resinous mixture that honeybees collect from different plants sources and modify; it is used mainly to ensure the hygiene of the hive. By virtue of its antimicrobial properties, propolis has been considered relatively aseptic, yet its ability to harbor microorganisms has not been previously investigated.
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