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Learn about Anna-Louise Reysenbach's travels across and into the Pacific
Author: Exploring microbial ecology at the bottom of the Pacific ocean
Posted: June 24, 2009

Biology faculty Anna-Louise Reysenbach is on a research cruise in the Pacific ocean.  The two primary objectives of this research cruise are:

1.  To study the microbial ecology of actively venting sulfide deposits along the Eastern Lau Spreading Center.  This will include exploring the patterns of functional and phylogenetic diversity associated with sulfides, and culturing a range of different thermophiles, including thermoacidophiles.
2.  Investigate the temporal and spatial microbial colonization of sulfides.  This will involve deploying thermocouple arrays on hydrothermal vents, and collecting the fresh deposits at different periods of time for microbial characterization.