Resolving marine phytoplankton: virus interactions from local to global scales

Phytoplankton (tiny ocean plants) produce half the Earth’s oxygen and feed the seas, but are infected by viruses. Although we have all experienced the massive effect viruses can have at local and global scales, very little is still known about their impact on phytoplankton in the oceans. The PHYVIR research project aims to fill this knowledge gap, by investigating virus-phytoplankton interactions in the laboratory and during oceanic expeditions, and by building advanced computer models to predict how marine viruses affect carbon and nutrient cycling in the ocean and, thus, our planet's health.