Exploring the Impact of Microbial Diversity Loss: What It Means for Our Ecosystem

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Exploring the Impact of Microbial Diversity Loss: What It Means for Our Ecosystem

Dickey, Mercer, and their team studied phytoplankton, tiny plant-like organisms, along with their surrounding microbes. They looked at how different levels of microbiome diversity—low, medium, and high—affected the growth and health of phytoplankton. They wanted to see how these changes compared to stress from higher temperatures and nutrient changes caused by human activity.

The findings revealed that a decline in microbiome diversity impacts various biological levels. This includes changes in the physiology of the host organisms as well as shifts in community interactions and nutrient cycling.

This research, titled “Biodiversity within phytoplankton-associated microbiomes regulates host physiology, host community ecology, and nutrient cycling,” was published on January 28, 2025, in the journal mSystems. Along with Dickey and Mercer, the study included contributions from BioSci PhD student Mirte Kuijpers and Ruben Props. Their work is part of a larger research effort by the Jackrel Lab to show how phytoplankton can help scientists better understand host-microbiome interactions. This knowledge can assist in areas like human health, particularly regarding our skin and gut. Funding for this project came from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences.



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