Abstract:
Large-scale sequencing data has advanced our understanding of microbial diversity and function in the marine environment. Here I will present concepts and approaches how this data can be used to model interactions between microbiome members and generate information about metabolic processes and outputs. I will also discuss the importance of long-term, environmental observations of microbiomes, how monitoring programs can be established and how such data can be integrated into ecosystems models

Bio:
Prof. Torsten Thomas obtained his PhD from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, where he also established his academic career and led research centres. His research has focused on understanding the central role that microbiomes have in influencing the performance and health of higher host organisms, in particular in the marine environment. For this he has generated and analysed large data sets and has developed several innovative approaches, including -omic technologies, bioinformatics pipelines and ecological theories.