Lecture on Marine Viruses

Mudflats such as those in Tillamook Bay are home to viruses.\Photo by Jordan Epstein.

Viruses are on everyone’s mind these days, but an upcoming talk in Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Geology Lectures Series will invite the audience to consider viruses where we don’t usually think of them—in the mud.  Jessica Labonte’, an assistant professor of marine biology at Texas A&M University, will speak on "You Are What You Eat:  How nutrient availability and organic matter source dictate genomic potential and viral activity in coastal anoxic sediment." Her talk takes place on Friday, April 9, at 7 p.m.

Dr. Labonte’ specializes in studying the microbial denizens of the marine world.  Her research evolves around the study of the role of viruses in aquatic environments through the characterization of their relationships with their hosts. She uses a combination of laboratory cultures, molecular biology techniques, and bioinformatics to describe viral and microbial diversity and understand how viruses and bacteria evolve in the environment.

To access this and presentations that are part of the Geology Lecture Series, go here.

Be aware that links to upcoming talks only appear on the site shortly before lectures take place.  Archived versions of earlier talks can also be found on this site.

For additional information contact Ron Metzger, (541) 888-7216, rmetzger@socc.edu.