Vast seas, hidden powers: unity, diversity, and dynamics in the undersea world of marine microbes

Considering that nearly 75% of our planet is covered by the sea, the visionary scientist and author Arthur C. Clarke is said to have quipped: “How inappropriate to call this planet Earth, when clearly it is Ocean.” Indeed, each drop of water on “planet Ocean” is teaming with diverse, complex, and dynamic microbial Life. From the ocean’s surface to its deep subsurface, estimates suggest a total standing stock of around 1029 microbial cells, resulting in an estimated cellular turnover time of an astonishing 1030 cells/year. Hence, we are still fleshing out the extent and diversity of marine microbial habitats, from microbial plankton in surface waters, to deep subsurface biofilms, to a myriad of symbiotic niches. Likewise, the nested hierarchical diversity of microbial life (and its evolution), from phyla, to species, to subspecies ecotypes, is still being fruitfully explored at taxonomic, genomic, biochemical and physiological levels. Notably, nearly every biogeochemical transformation and energetic exchange in the sea is dependent upon, and driven by, the expressions of and interactions amongst this vast microbial diversity. It seems clear that we still have much yet to learn about this aquatic microbial majority, that collectively regulates the ecological homeostasis of our watery planet. In this international session on marine microbiology, we aim to explore contemporary knowledge and theory regarding marine microbial habitats, taxonomic diversity, interaction networks, biochemistry, physiology, biogeochemistry, and more. We also hope to stimulate broad and transdisciplinary perspectives on evolving and traditional techniques and methods, including (but not limited to): in situ sensor technology, stable isotopic methods, new ‘omic approaches, physiological and genomic flux models, biophysical modeling, ecological network analyses and modeling, and evolutionary theory encompassing both macro- and micro-evolutionary processes. Please do join us, and take a deep dive into the marine microbial world: Come on in, the water’s fine!

Convenors
Punyasloke Bhadury, Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, India
Ed DeLong, University of Hawaii, United States

Invited Speakers
Mar Benavides, National Oceanography Centre, United Kingdom
Punyasloke Bhadury, Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, India
Ed DeLong, University of Hawaii, United States
Debbie Lindell, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel