Coevolution Algae & Bacteria: Antimicrobial resistance & Stress effect
The collaborative study will be based in the Department of Biological Sciences, where students will collaborate with the Goswami Lab and Pfrender Lab to design co-evolution experiments involving algae and bacteria. These experiments will explore their genotypic and phenotypic responses to various environmental stressors. The project aims to understand how stressors such as salinity, nutrient availability, organic pollutants, and heavy metals affect interactions between algae and bacteria. The study will examine how stress responses affect the changes in antimicrobial resistance dynamics within the microcosms.
We are seeking 2 students with prior experience in microbiology fundamentals and laboratory work. Students are required to contribute their time equivalent to 2-3 credit hours. They are expected to perform water sampling, culture algae and bacteria in the laboratory, conduct a co-evolution experiment, and generate data. Students will work closely with the PI and receive training in sampling, designing, and conducting experiments. They are required to produce a written report and will be encouraged to participate in manuscript writing and poster presentations. Based on the students' interests, they can also receive training in genomics, biostatistical analysis, and figure illustration at the scientific article publishing standards. This role is designed to help students develop critical thinking and research skills, including but not limited to literature review, experiment design, statistical analysis, scientific writing, and research communication.
Our motivation: The Goswami Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences is building a multidisciplinary team committed to investigating the origins and drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR): a pressing global health concern. We aim to understand the environmental dimensions of AMR. Our core project sits at the exciting intersection of multiple scientific disciplines, including evolutionary biology, microbiology, and environmental science. We use state-of-the-art laboratory and informatics methods to explore the complex, evolving relationships between different organisms in controlled and environmental settings.
The current advertised project is a collaborative effort between the new Goswami Lab and the Pfrender Lab (Prof. Michael Pfrender) in the Department of Biological Sciences, which will bring together experienced minds to provide resources for students to understand, conduct research, and develop their research skills. The co-evolution of algae and bacteria, a fundamental interaction, underpins nutrient cycles and productivity in aquatic ecosystems. The project is critically important as it addresses a significant knowledge gap: how the relationship between these organisms, especially under environmental stress, influences the spread of AMR in the environment.