Sack Lunch Seminar (SLS)

Abstract:
Understanding the connection between organism traits, environmental conditions, and long-term ecological processes is important for predicting numerous planetary dynamics. I have developed a general energetic model for microbial growth which not only predicts the growth of single cells but also the broad trends in population growth rate across a wide diversity of species. This model is applicable to predicting biogeographic patterns, determining the constraints on life under low energy conditions, and understanding evolutionary transitions. One of the most important results is the anticipated advantage in efficiency that comes with communal living. To investigate this further we have studied a microbial biofilm system both theoretically and experimentally. We find that the cells within the biofilm cooperate in a manner that produces optimal morphology in response to environmental conditions. This system serves as a basic analog for both community dynamics and the evolution of morphology as an important mediator between organisms and their environment. The insights gained in this system can be applied to biogeography, climate and planetary processes at multiple scales and to multiple aquatic and terrestrial organisms.