WILBANKS LAB
Our research examines
how the ecology of microorganisms influences evolution
and drives nutrient cycling in marine environments.
We work to discover and quantify microbial interactions in natural marine ecosystems over scales bridging single cells to ecosystems. Understanding ecosystems with this resolution will help us improve predictive models of ecosystem function and discover fundamental principles governing the dynamics of microbial communities.
photo by Scott Chimelinski
At present, our study systems focus on the bacteria and archaea associated with marine particles, aggregates, and biofilms.
Our experiments range from the field to the lab and integrate a diverse toolset including (meta)genomics, microscopy, microsensors, cultivation, and stable isotope geochemistry.