Simons Postdoctoral Fellows in Marine Microbial Ecology Request for Applications

The Simons Foundation is now accepting applications for postdoctoral fellowships to support research on fundamental problems in marine microbial ecology. The foundation is particularly interested in applicants with training in different fields who want to apply their experience to understanding the role of microorganisms in shaping ocean processes, and vice versa, as well as applicants with experience in modeling or theory development.

Complete details at simonsfoundation.org

A Deep Dive into Macromolecular and Physiological Modeling

by Helen Hill for CBIOMES

At a two-day workshop held at MIT, January 28 and 29, a subset of the CBIOMES team gathered to share a focused dive into the detail of phytoplankton macromolecular and physiological modeling, coupled with an immersive exploration of how best to integrate such models into larger scale models of marine plankton distribution. Continue reading “A Deep Dive into Macromolecular and Physiological Modeling”

Towards a Better Model for the Microbe Membrane

by John Casey for CBIOMES

CBIOMES Postdoctoral Fellow John Casey, has been working closely with MIT Group PI Mick Follows to combine quantitative proteomics, flux balance analysis of genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs), and molecular modeling in an attempt to estimate the parameters of a kinetic model based on transport fluxes, transporter abundances and structures, molecular diffusivity, and microscale fluid dynamics. Continue reading “Towards a Better Model for the Microbe Membrane”

Trends in Mediterranean Phytoplankton Phenology from Ocean-Color

by Helen Hill for CBIOMES

Changes in phytoplankton Chlorophyl (Chl) and phenology (study of the phases of the phytoplankton seasonal) are key to understanding many aspects of marine community structure and function. In new work, CBIOMES investigator Marie-Fanny Racault used remotely sensed ocean-color data to study patterns of variability and trends in phytoplankton Chl and phenology within the Mediterranean Sea. Continue reading “Trends in Mediterranean Phytoplankton Phenology from Ocean-Color”