Research in hydrothermal vents in the deep-sea has revealed amazing diversity of microorganisms relying on chemical energy instead of sunlight. These communities form visible biofilms and also form symbiotic relationships with animals like the famous tube worm Riftia pachyptila. However, studying these vents is quite challenging due to the difficulty and cost of sending submersibles or remotely operated vehicles to visit them and collect samples. A key question is how similar are these biofilm communities to deep-sea vents? and are there differences between the intertidal where conditions change every day with the tides and more stable subtidal vents? This presentation will describe findings from a series of studies by students in my lab over the last decade using a combination of microscopy, DNA sequencing and radiotracer techniques to address these questions.
Dr. Jesse Dillon is a Professor and Chair of the Biological Sciences Department at California State University, Long Beach. Students in his research laboratory study microbes in coastal habitats including salt marshes, near-shore hydrothermal vents and inside the guts of burrowing heart urchins. In addition to his duties in the department, he currently serves as a Principal Investigator for the NIH-funded CSULB BUILD Initiative which aims to increase the diversity of students pursuing careers in biomedical research.
Friday, October 13, 2023
