Metagenomics of the microbiome associated with the seaweed Sargassum spp. (Phaeophyceae)

• Grant number: 18/17843-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Mariana Cabral de Oliveira
• Grantee: Inara Regina Wengratt Mendonça
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The main objective of this project is to recognize the bacterial community living in association with the marine macroalgae Sargassum and to understand how this community varies among thallus structures, populations, latitudes and life habits. Recent works have demonstrated the importance of bacteria associated with algae due to the production of bioactives that influence the protection, settlement, vegetative growth and even reproduction of algae. Sargassum is a genus of Phaeophyceae widely distributed with ecological and economic importance, but for which little is known about its associated microbiome. The genus Sargassum presents benthic and holopelagic forms. In recent years, clusters of holopelagic Sargassum have stranded in coastal regions of the North and Northeast of Brazil forming the so-called golden tides. In this project, we will compare the microbiome of the holopelagic Sargassum stranded with the local benthic Sargassum. For such study, a hierarchical sampling design will be used, which will not only describe the microbiome but also investigate the spatial variation. The sampling of benthic Sargassum (S. vulgare) will be carried out in Santa Catarina, São Paulo and Bahia. The sampling of holopelagic Sargassum (S. natans) will occur in Salinólopolis / PA where strandings occur. The identification of the microbiome on different structures of the thallus will be made by metagenomic sequences of 16S rRNA. The sequences produced will be analyzed using pipelines, and from the number of OTUs generated it will be possible to perform statistical analyzes to evaluate variation among the different sample levels. The results obtained will allow the comparison of the microbioma in qualitative and quantitative terms. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

THEIRLYNCK, TOM; MENDONCA, INARA REGINA W.; ENGELEN, ASCHWIN H.; BOLHUIS, HENK; COLLADO-VIDES, LIGIA; VAN TUSSENBROEK, BRIGITTA I.; GARCIA-SANCHEZ, MARTA; ZETTLER, ERIK; MUYZER, GERARD; AMARAL-ZETTLER, LINDA. Diversity of the holopelagic Sargassum microbiome from the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt to coastal stranding locations. HARMFUL ALGAE, v. 122, p. 13-pg., 2022-12-30. (18/17843-4)

INARA R. W. MENDONÇA; TOM THEIRLYNCK; ERIK R. ZETTLER; LINDA A. AMARAL-ZETTLER; MARIANA CABRAL OLIVEIRA. Microbiome changes in a stranding simulation of the holopelagic macroalgae Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans. Ocean and Coastal Research, v. 72, 2024-06-17. (20/09406-3, 18/17843-4)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MENDONÇA, Inara Regina Wengratt. Metagenomics of the microbiome associated with the seaweed Sargassum spp. (Phaeophyceae). 2024. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB) São Paulo.