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Microbiology

Welcome to the Microbial Oceanography Research Unit

Staff

Dr. Gerard T. A. Fleming (Director)
Dr. David M. McCarthy: Post-doc Researcher (Deep Ocean Microbiology) 
Ms. Aileen Gill: Post-doc Researcher (Deep Ocean Microbiology)
Ms. Olivia Duignan:  Post-doc Researcher (Disinfectant/Antibiotic Resistance:  Co-supervised with Dr. Cyril Carroll)
Ms. Geraldine McNulty: M.Sc. Researcher (Clean Room Bioburdening: Co-supervised with Dr. Cyril Carroll)
Mr. Maurice Martyn:  M.Sc. Researcher (Deep Ocean Microbiology)

Introduction

Microbial Oceanography is a relatively new discipline with its origins in the fields of microbiology, biogeochemistry, oceanography, and marine biology.  Its aim is to establish a comprehensive understanding of marine microbes and their role in ecosystem functioning, ultimately providing an integrated view of the greatest and least explored ecosystem on Earth.
Deep oceanic waters (>1000m) are typically characterised by low temperature (~2°C), high pressure (c. 350 atmospheres at 3500m), severe nutrient limitation and a complete absence of photosynthetic primary production. Nevertheless, bacteria are abundant and exhibit a high degree of diversity and adaptation to this extreme environment.

Research at MORU

The laboratory is primarily focussed on abyssal microbial ecology, and the response of benthic microbial assemblages to the input of organic matter. A dual methodological approach is employed, combining modern molecular (culture-independent) techniques with more traditional culture-based microbiological methods.

Community structures of Bacterial and Archaeal in situ assemblages are analysed by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA genes. Pressurised enrichment cultures are employed to evaluate the growth response of microbial assemblages to nutrient amendments under in-situ conditions, with shifts in population structure monitored by DGGE and isolation of numerically dominant species achieved by extinction dilution techniques.

Since 2004, the Marine Microbiology Lab has participated in a number of expeditions to the Northeast Atlantic, The Southern Ocean and is currently engaged in deep-sea surveys of the three major basins of the Mediterranean Sea.

Innovation

The Marine Micro lab is also currently engaged in the development of a novel deep-sea sampling apparatus, SPRATS (Sampling Pressure Retaining and Transfer System), to overcome one of the most significant challenges encountered sampling extreme ocean depths. The device is designed to prevent decompression of water samples during sampling and subsequent transfer into experimental culture vessels.
SPRATS is currently awaiting pressure testing to be carried out at the University of Aberdeen’s Oceanlab facility.

Temporary Information:

3rd Year Microbiology Industrial Microbiology PowerPoint Lecture Material

Folks,
I understand that some of you are experiencing difficulty in accessing the new version of Blackboard.  My slides are temporarily available below for your convenience.
Ger

Industrial Microbiology:  Introduction and Overview
Industrial Microbiology:  Organisms
Industrial Microbiology:  Media for Industrial Bioprocesses
Industrial Microbiology:  Overview:  Handling the Process


Photos © Dave McCarthy


 

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