About Us

Among the 7 researchers in the group is Rodolphe Lemée, a specialist in Dinoflagellates, a group of microscopic algae; most species of dinoflagellates are consumed by microscopic animals but some species are toxic and accumulate in shellfish or produce toxic aerosols. His studies focus on the biodiversity and biogeography of dinoflagellates.

Bacteria in the sea degrade organic matter and recycle essential nutrients. The communty composition of bacterioplankton, especially those which colonize particulate matter, are the interests of Maria-Luiza Pedrotti. She investigates the interactions of marine bacteria with microscopic detrital material.

Ciliates are microscopic animals which feed on bacteria and very small algae and thus represent an essential link in the food chain between microbes and higher organisms.  2 researchers are experts in ciliates, Fereidoun Rassoulzadegan and John Dolan.  Their research interests range from carbon flux to the relationship between taxonomic and functional diversity. IMAGES  

Viruses are abundant in marine systems and can be responsible for a significant part of bacterial mortality.  Marcus Weinbauer is a specialist in viruses. His focus is on the role of viruses in influencing the community composition of bacterioplankton.

Microbes are important players in basic processes of marine ecosystems. Jean-Pierre Gattuso and Frederic Gazeau study fundamental ecosystem processes involving carbon flux such as respiration, primary production and calcification. In all these processes, which may be altered with ocean acidification, microbes play central roles.

The deep sea is the largest ecosystem on the planet but very little known of the microbial communities which inhabit the 'dark sea'. Tsuneo Tanaka is a specalist in the microbes of the deep sea.

Essential support and aide is provided by three research engineers. Marie-Dominique Pizay is responsible for analysis of dissolved organic matter, Marie-Emmanuelle Kerros for our molecular biology laboratory and Sophie Marro for microbial cultures and flow cytometry.