Discovering
Cyanobacteria-Phage
Interactions
Web of Interactions Between Cyanobacteria and Their Phages
Freshwater cyanobacteria perform a substantial part of the primary productivity of various aquatic systems worldwide. However, these cyanobacteria can form blooms that can be toxic. In recent decades, there has been an ongoing global increase in harmful cyanobacterial blooms. It is predicted that cyanobacterial dominance will intensify in the future. One of the agents that take part in the top-down control of cyanobacteria are phages (viruses of bacteria).
Research Areas
We aim to answer questions such as:
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Does the selection by phages take any part in shaping the size/structure of the cyanobacteria?
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How does selection by phages affect the evolution of the cyanobacteria genomes?
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What is the role of phages in enabling and/or restricting the cyanobacterial blooms?
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How can phages survive seasons with low cyanobacteria abundance?
What are the molecular mechanisms that confer resistance to phages and what is their role in this ecosystem?
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What part does lysogeny and lateral gene transfer take in these interactions?
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Contact Us
Interested in our research? have questions? please fill in your contact details
Tel: 972-48240617
Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology
Faculty of Natural Sciences
University of Haifa
199 Aba Khoushy Ave.
Mount Carmel, Haifa
Israel