Microbiomes Across Environments

This exhibit at RIT showcases work done by students under the supervision of College of Science faculty in the Department of Life Sciences at RIT: Dr. Elle Barnes, Dr. Fernando Rodriguez, and Dr. Elena Lopez Peredo. Microbiome science is an emerging and rapidly growing field that bridges disciplines, merging microbiology with genomics, ecosystem science, and bioinformatics. The exhibit highlights the importance of microbiomes in a variety of ecosystems, emphasizing their role in maintaining biodiversity, ecosystem function, and even organismal health. Key features of the exhibit include investigations into the microbiomes of soil and pond microalgae, which are critical for nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. Another focus is the microbiome of salamanders, showcasing their unique role as bioindicators of environmental health in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The exhibit also delves into the microfauna of aquatic and terrestrial systems, including rotifers which are tiny but crucial organisms that play a role in nutrient cycling and the balance of microbial communities in water and soil environments. Through this exhibit, we explore the vast biochemical and metabolic diversity of the microbial world, examining life in ocean and marine systems, terrestrial ecosystems, and animal (including human) host-associated contexts. The showcased projects demonstrate the critical roles microbes play in shaping our environment and influencing the health of ecosystems and organisms alike.