Trained as a molecular and cell biologist, my research focuses on characterizing the underlying molecular mechanisms that have contributed to the ecological success of phytoplankton. Despite representing <1% of the Earth’s biomass, this microscopic slice of the planet contributes nearly 50% of global primary productivity and plays a role in nearly every major biogeochemical cycle including carbon, nitrogen, and silicon. To understand how these organisms will respond to future predicted changes in the ocean, we need to understand the molecular and biochemical mechanisms that govern their physiological responses. My research combines molecular, biochemical, and biophysical techniques with large scale genomic and transcriptomic studies to answer fundamental questions about the physiology and functional ecology of this globally important group of organisms. Using laboratory model systems of diatoms and coccolithophores, we seek to understand how these organisms respond to environmental stress (e.g. light and nutrient availability, viral infection) and the factors that control their growth and productivity. We then extend these culture-based observations to natural populations on oceanographic research cruises using observational and deck-board manipulative studies.
Program Faculty
- Kim Thamatrakoln
- Associate Professor
- Department: Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
- Graduate Program(s): Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
- Major Research Interest(s): Cell stress / Cell death, Virology
- Research Techniques: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetic engineering, Imaging, Transcriptomics
- Research Organism(s): Bacteria, Viruses
- Phone: 1.8489323464
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
- Marine and Coastal Sciences Building
- 71 Dudley Road
- New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8521
- Key Words: marine microbiology, oceanography, molecular ecophysiology
- Lab Site URL