Assaf Vardi

Synergy in viral–bacterial co-infection expedites algal bloom demise

Algal blooms are hotspots for diverse microbial interactions affecting bloom dynamics. Viral infections often regulate the demise of these blooms, recycling >25% of oceanic fixed carbon. Although these blooms collapse synchronously, only 10-30% of algal cells show active viral in...

RNA viruses as drivers of rapid diatom succession within a single bloom event

Abstract Diatoms frequently dominate seasonal phytoplankton blooms and contribute ~40% of marine primary production. Viruses drive phytoplankton mortality and bloom collapse, yet how viruses regulate diatom bloom dynamics is not well resolved. Here, using quantitative metatranscr...