Field Aquatic Ecology

Introduction to molecular and bioinformatic techniques used to investigate aquatic microbiomes. Students learn how to collect field samples for molecular analyses at the Younger Lagoon and Santa Cruz Wharf. Using fundamental techniques in modern molecular microbial ecology including metabarcoding, DNA sequencing (including real-time), quantitative PCR, fluorescent in situ hybridizations, and flow cytometry, students characterize microbial assemblages and investigate microbial activity in two very different field sites. Students gain hands-on experience processing sequence and imaging data and analyzing microbial community variability over seasonal and interannual cycles.