Rannís awarded grants from the Research Fund for the grant year 2016 last month. Matís received two outstanding grants, of which Matís has project management in one of them, but both grants are related to microbiological research. Matís also received research position and doctoral student grants related to, on the one hand, research on microorganisms and, on the other hand, mackerel research.
The projects will be carried out in collaboration with the Marine Research Institute, the University of Iceland, the Institute of Natural History, ÍSOR and international partners. The second major grant, MIME, will be used to gain a better overview of the diversity of microorganisms in the oceans around Iceland and their role in the food chain. Information on the diversity of micro-organisms in Icelandic waters can be of great practical value to the Icelandic fishing industry.
About the MIME project
Research on the diversity of marine microorganisms has increased significantly in recent years, but there is little information on microorganisms in the ocean around Iceland. The aim of the project is to study microbial diversity in samples that have been collected annually for seven years at defined sampling stations around the country. In the project, the effects of global warming and ocean acidification will be investigated in terms of microbial diversity and chemical cycles in the ocean. Three hypotheses have been put forward: "a) There is a great difference between microbial communities in the north and south of the country, b) Synechococcus is found in the North Atlantic Ocean near Iceland and in the cold Arctic Ocean, but does not play a key role as primitive microorganisms as in lower latitude, and c) Ocean acidification occurs more rapidly in northern areas compared to temperate and tropical areas and therefore has a greater impact on marine microorganisms in northern latitudes, causing changes in diversity and their numbers ". Answers to these hypotheses are obtained using the latest technology in DNA sequencing of genomes and gene expression as well as the use of microbial analysis. Research emphasis will be placed on comparing different characteristics of ocean areas such as the cold polar sea from the north with the warmer sea coming from the south with the Irminger current. Oceanography and bioinformatics data will be put into context with a new program (MB3-IS) to examine the synergies between microorganisms and environmental variables. New strains of microorganisms will be isolated and described.
For more information, contact the MIME project manager, dr. Viggó Þ. Marteinsson at Matís.