Particle-associated and free-living microorganisms in the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays

Combining genomics, metagenome and metatranscriptome and metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) we study metabolic flexibility and microbial functional Redudnacy

Background

Particle-attached (PA) and free-living (FL) fractions of microbial communities are crucial to maintain the heterogeneous nature of an ecosystem. However, the structure, metabolism and community assembly of FL and PA bacteria under frequent environmental change are largely unknown.​

The Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, two major estuaries along the U.S. Atlantic coast, are geographically close yet environmentally distinct, exhibiting differences in salinity gradients, particle concentrations, light availability, and anthropogenic influence​

In the current study, we used 20 metagenomes of seasonal samples from the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays to characterize the metabolic potential of PA and FL fractions.

Relevant Publications

under preparation

Abstracts

Jojy John, Mir A Ahmed, and Barbara J Campbell 2025. Metabolic flexibility, secondary metabolites and seasonal dynamics in particle-associated and free-living microorganisms in the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays . ASM 25, LA, USA

References