Hennon Lab
we study charismatic microflora
Hennon Lab Research
Environmental Genomics
We use DNA and RNA sequencing to uncover how microbes are impacted by changing environmental conditions:
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DNA sequencing helps to determine what marine microbes are present and what they are capable of doing. We use RNA to see how marine microbes like phytoplankton and bacteria respond to changes in their environment.
Phytoplankton Culturing
We grow phytoplankton isolates in the lab to test their responses to changes in their environment:
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Cultures of phytoplankton cells can be manipulated in the lab with high CO2, changes in temperature, and light to mimic climate change scenarios. We can measure growth, mortality, photosynthetic health, and gene expression to determine how phytoplankton respond in isolation or in co-culture with select bacteria.
Incubation Experiments
We collect natural phytoplankton communities and test their responses to environmental change:
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Wild populations of phytoplankton and marine microbes can be grown in the field under high CO2, changes in temperature, and light to mimic climate change scenarios. We can measure net growth, photosynthetic health, and gene expression to determine how phytoplankton respond in a complex community.