Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/E013546/1

Hemes - the forgotten microbial pigments

Fellow:: Dr M Gledhill, University of Southampton, Sch of Ocean and Earth Science
Grant held at:: University of Southampton, Sch of Ocean and Earth Science

ENRIs:: Global Change; Biodiversity
Science Topics:: Environmental Microbiology; Environmental Physiology; Biogeochemical Cycles

Abstract:: We are very familiar with the concept of measuring the number of red blood cells in people as an indicator of our health. The chemical that makes blood cells red is heme. Hemes are used by nearly all living organisms and are extremely important to many biological processes. In the marine microbial environment, however, very little is known about hemes. This is of particular concern as a large proportion of the worlds ocean does not have enough iron to support maximal growth. One potential effect of low iron concentrations is a reduction in the concentration of hemes within marine microbes. This would impair photosynthetic and respiratory efficiency and reduce productivity. In this fellowship I will undertake the first investigations into the levels of heme in marine microbes. I will conduct laboratory investigations into the effect of iron, nitrogen and light on heme levels in specific species of marine plankton. I will use these investigations to help interpret data obtained on the concentrations of heme b in particulate material in a potentially iron limited region of the North Atlantic Ocean. Heme b concentrations will be tested as a novel method to assess the health of the microbial populations in this region. I will also investigate the relative importance of hemes to the total amount of iron in marine biota and I will investigate the fate of hemes on cell death and decay.

Authorised funds only

This fellowship award has a total value of £382,093

DI - Other Costs	Indirect - Indirect Costs	DI - Staff	DA - Estate Costs	DI - T&S
£51,172	£123,268	£160,769	£39,134	£7,750

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