The holobiont concept, which views hosts and their microbes as functional units, is key to understanding macroalgae-microbe interactions. Ulva species, widely used as models, rely on bacterial symbionts for morphogenesis and growth. These microbial communities may enhance Ulva crop systems by promoting growth, modifying biochemical composition, and protecting against pathogens. However, effective microbiota manipulation requires insight into the successional dynamics of the Ulva microbiome.
This research explores the role of growth-promoting bacteria in Ulva fenestrata germling development using genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. First, diverse Ulva-associated bacterial strains will be isolated and characterized. Controlled co-culture experiments will assess their impact on germling growth and metabolism. Dual RNA-seq and metabolomics will identify key pathways underlying Ulva–bacteria interactions, while environmental factors like salinity will be examined for their influence. Our research provides valuable insights into the functional mechanisms of Ulva-bacterial symbiosis, with potential applications in sustainable aquaculture and biomass production.