ORIGINS SCIENCE SCHOLARS: ENVIRONMENTAL VIRUSES THAT SHAPE THE WORLD (IN-PERSON)

Microbial communities drive global biogeochemical cycles in every environment in the biosphere.  As agents of genetic mobility, mortality, and nutrient release, viruses have been shown to influence microbial community structure and activity in numerous marine and aquatic systems.  However, their impacts on terrestrial ecosystems are less well understood.  I will give a broad introduction to what we do and don’t know about viruses of microbes, and outline some strategies for tackling the big questions that remain.

This lecture is a part of the Origins Science Scholars Series.