"Microbial cycling of climate-relevant and toxic atmospheric trace gasses"

Microbial activities are instrumental in driving globally important biogeochemical cycles of atmospheric trace gasses that affect climate and human health. Work in our lab is currently concerned with two different trace gasses, (i) dimethylsulfide (DMS) and (ii) carbon monoxide (CO). DMS acts as an aerosol precursor and is also known as the smell of the sea. I will summarise our work unravelling aspects of the biochemistry, genetics and ecology of DMS-degrading microorganisms in different environments. I will also give an overview of our recent finding of microbial cycling of carbon monoxide in the phyllosphere and its potential significance for climate and human health.