CBIOMES Research

Microbial systems in the ocean are diverse, rich in trophic and metabolic interactions, and subject to dispersal by fluid flows on scales from millimeters to ocean basins. We seek to characterize, understand and model the organization of surface ocean microbial communities and their role in mediating global elemental cycles. 

We are an interdisciplinary group of investigators with a broad range of expertise spanning observation of marine microbial systems at sea and from space, the characterization of microbial physiology and traits in the laboratory, mathematical and computational modeling, and the rigorous synthesis of data and models for state estimation. 

Our overarching scientific goals are:

    • to better characterize the biogeography of marine microbial populations.
    • to develop interpretive and predictive mathematical and computational models of the system.
    • to develop and implement biologically meaningful representations of organisms in those models and simulations.
    • to work towards ecological ocean data assimilation, combining observations and models to produce state estimates of the planktonic ecosystem.

Phase II of CBIOMES, beginning in 2022, is focused on two key over-arching themes:

(i) What controls microbial biogeography in the surface ocean? Quantifying simulation skill and practical state estimation.

(ii) Simulation and interpretation of the physiological state and elemental composition of surface ocean phytoplankton 

Follow the links below to learn more about work in each lab  and the people involved:

CBIOMES Groups

Characterizing macromolecular allocation strategies used by marine microbes for trait-based models (led by Zoe Finkel/Dal)

Predicting plankton biogeography and stoichiometry (led by Andrew Irwin/Dal)

Thermodynamically guided trait-based ocean biogeochemistry modeling (led by Joe Vallino/MBL)

Interpreting and Simulating the Biogeography and Biogeochemical Impact of Phytoplankton (led by Mick Follows and Stephanie Dutkiewicz/MIT)

Proteomic insights into cellular foundations of marine ecosystems (led by Erin Bertrand/Dal)

Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecology from Space (led by Shubha Sathyendranath/PML)

Data and tools to define the biogeography of marine phytoplankton (led by Ginger Armbrust/UW)

Microbial Growth, Interactions and Biogeographies from ‘Omics’ Data (led by Jed Fuhrman/USC)

Statistical and Computational Methods for Marine Ecosystems (led by Christian Müller/Flatiron Institute)

Data assimilative microbial modeling and other model development and analysis for the Northeast Pacific (led by Chris Edwards/UCSC)

Statistical Learning for Marine Ecosystems (led by Jacob Bien/USC)

CBIOMES User & Working Groups

Multiple self-organizing collaborations exist across and within CBIOMES however, as the collaboration has matured and evolved, larger working groups have coalesced around a number of topics. Other research-focused activities have resulted in the initiation of user groups. Our investigators also enjoy privileged access to Simons CMAP and its team of developers. Explore!

Julia User Group

Bayesian Working Group

Provinces Working Group

Diel Working Group

Zooplankton Working Group (coming soon)

Simons CMAP