Virus as afactor in cell lysis and extensive marine mucilage

Viruses form the dominat component of the marine microorganisms population, and play an important role in carbon cycling and formation of marine mucilage. For the purpose of styding interactions between virus, host, and environment, we will isolate representative heterotrophic bacteria and its virus from marine environment. The influence of organic energy on virus - host relationship will be studied in detail in a continuous culture experiments (chemostat). To understand the interactions between virus and its host we will use techniques that include electron transmission microscopy, epifluorescence microscopy, and spectroscopy. Since parameters obtained in the experimentals will be used for a mathematical modelling, we expect that the results will form a goodbasis for a prediction of the formation of an extensive msrine mucilage.