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Plankton Goes Viral - Matthew Sullivan

August 12, 2015

Plankton Goes Viral - Matthew Sullivan

Plankton

Dr. Matthew Sullivan recently joined the Department of Microbiology this past June, 2015. In May, he had five publications featured in Science magazine and, along with Research Scientist Jennifer Brum, was also featured on the podcast ScienceFriday.


In just one gulp of seawater, there are roughly 200 million viruses. But before canceling your seaside vacation, consider this: These viruses have their sights set on the ocean’s microorganisms, such as plankton. Scientists got an unprecedented look at the viruses swirling around the upper ocean as a result of the Tara Oceans expedition. From 2009 to 2013, scientists sampled 26 sites across the world’s oceans. Jennifer Brum and Matthew Sullivan, from the University of Arizona, are among the researchers studying these samples to catalog and understand the viruses that influence the ocean’s—and by extension, the world’s—ecosystem. Their results were published in the journal Science earlier this summer.

To listen to the podcast on ScienceFriday: Plankton Goes Viral 

*This podcast and description were originally published and are owned by ScienceFriday