Date of Event:​ February 24, 2017 ​ Location: ​Muir Biology Building @ University of

California, San Diego

Group or Entity Sponsoring Event:​ Ecology, Behavior & Evolution Seminars

Topic of the Lecture/Seminar: ​Systems of Biology & Evolutionary Ecology of Engineered

Microbial Communities by Dr. William Harcombe of University of Minnesota

What was the main point of the presentation/research?

Researcher William Harcombe wanted to share the importance of microbial
communities. He believes that there are pros within the dynamics of evo-eco distributions.
He wants to use one of his self made programs (Computation of Molecular Ecology in Time
and Space) to accurately predict species interactions.

What did you learn?

We were more informed about microbial communities. Firstly, before this
presentation, I never knew what a microbial was. I learned that it could be a sort of
organism, such as bacteria, that results in disease, infection, etc. We were also learning the
importance to bacteriophages. They not only in cases are a source of energy production, but
in other ways they are the root of pollution degradation.
What impact or applications can come from this work?
For him to continue his work with COMETS, it could be a huge scientific breakout.
Though we have already come further with advance findings on genome sequencing,
Dr.Harcombe and his team still want better understand the physiology of genotypes, how
these species communicate, and to link genotypes to ecosystems. It was definitely interesting
hearing how many trial-and-error experiments he had gone through just to prove that his
program was proficient enough to let him continue his research.

What further questions do you have?

Since his research is very focused on microbial consortia (two or more microbial
species living symbiotically), I am still interested as to why he will be looking at the species
interaction. I understand now that microbial consortia may lead to the making of new
biofuels as well as a positive eruption in the medical field; however, how was the thought of
starting with a flux program and studying E.coli mixed on agar plates with other bacterias
even begin? I would like to know the breakdown of every person’s job on this research team
so it be made more clear.
Notes taken: