Madelyn Foulkes
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Vincent Denef
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology / LSA
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 6 – 4:40pm – 5:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Madelyn Foulkes, Vincent Denef, James Lauer, Dylan Baker
Presenter: 63
Abstract
As toxic algal blooms continue to disrupt the local ecosystems and negatively impact the environment, it becomes increasingly important to study how algae interacts with their environment and their microbiome. By focusing on the microbiome in greater detail, more is illuminated about algal growth and how beneficial algae (such as the green algal species Chlorella sorokiniana) may outcompete harmful algal species. This study was conducted to inquire if isolates that have a positive effect on algal growth exhibit protective effects in the presence of an isolate that has a negative known impact on algal carrying capacity. After an initial pilot experiment was conducted to ensure the bacterial isolates are affecting the algal host Chlorella sorokiniana in a reproducible manner, the algal and bacterial combinations were studied in a 96 well plate, along with control wells. The chlorophyll A levels of the Chlorella sorokiniana algal species were measured frequently to measure algal growth over a period of twelve days. The conclusion we can hope to gain from this experiment is the algal growth measured in the presence of a negative and positive isolate. Our prediction is a growth curve in between the positive and negative results as the two bacterial isolates compete. It is important to continue studying algae from locations where harmful algal blooms continue to plague our ecosystems and contribute toxins to the environment. By studying the bacteria associated with the algal microbiome, it will be easier to understand the behavior of both beneficial and harmful algae and work towards a deeper understanding of what controls and may mitigate harmful algal blooms. We can all benefit from a healthier ecosystem and a better understanding of the environment, which requires starting as small as microbial interactions to piece together the bigger picture and predict algal behavior.
Environmental Studies
