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Department of Biology
Department ofBiology

Photo: Schaum, IMF

Plankton ecology and evolution

Plankton ecology and evolution

Welcome!

Research in the laboratory of Elisa Schaum focuses on why some phytoplankton communities are better at evolving and adapting to changing , extreme, and biologically complex environments than others. 

Diatom as seen under a scanning electron microscope, coloured

Photo: Schaum, IMF

Light Eaters

In an evironmental rollercoaster, light -eating (i.e. photosynthesising) microbes rapidly change their genetic make-up to become more thermally tolerant  and evolve higher trait plasticity

A glowing sunset seen from a research vessel

Photo: IMF

The heat is on!

Heatwaves shape phytoplankton communities in as little as one generation, depending on environmental history 

Brilliantly shiny Tetradesmus as viewed under the light microscope at 100x magnification

Photo: IMF, Schaum, Martens

More than meets the eye

More than meets the eye - phytoplankton from the Elbe estuary like their carbon organic. 

biofilm

Photo: Schaum, IMF

Partners in Slime

Partners in Slime: Diatoms and their associated bacteria form better biofilms faster in a warmer world