Abstract
A complete understanding of the mechanistic basis of marine ecosystem functioning is only possible through integrative and interdisciplinary research. This enables the prediction of change and possibly the mitigation of the consequences of anthropogenic impacts. One major aim of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action ES0609 “Seagrasses productivity. From genes to ecosystem management,” is the calibration and synthesis of various methods and the development of innovative techniques and protocols for studying seagrass ecosystems. During 10 days, 20 researchers representing a range of disciplines (molecular biology, physiology, botany, ecology, oceanography, and underwater acoustics) gathered at The Station de Recherches Sous-marines et Océanographiques (STARESO, Corsica) to study together the nearby Posidonia oceanica meadow. STARESO is located in an oligotrophic area classified as “pristine site” where environmental disturbances caused by anthropogenic pressure are exceptionally low. The healthy P. oceanica meadow, which grows in front of the research station, colonizes the sea bottom from the surface to 37 m depth. During the study, genomic and proteomic approaches were integrated with ecophysiological and physical approaches with the aim of understanding changes in seagrass productivity and metabolism at different depths and along daily cycles. In this paper we report details on the approaches utilized and we forecast the potential of the data that will come from this synergistic approach not only for P. oceanica but for seagrasses in general.
Highlights
Three genes coding for proteins involved in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, one gene coding for a protein part of the ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase complex and one gene involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle
Results obtained from RNA-Seq will allow the identification of differentially expressed sets of genes, extending the comprehension on the transcriptional regulation of P. oceanica in different environmental conditions
This prospect is corroborated by a previous proteomic study on P. oceanica, in which RuBisCo was found to be 30% under-expressed in low-light acclimated leaves than those grown in high-light (Mazzuca et al, 2009)
Summary
One problem that often occurs with interdisciplinary projects is scoping the research problem. Researchers need to embrace collaboration with colleagues in other disciplines, such as functional genomics, proteomics, ecology, conservation, and physiology (Boudouresque et al, 2009). We anticipate that such synergies as have been outlined below will stimulate advances in other areas of seagrasses, similar to those we have been able to accomplish on Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delille. Such interdisciplinary programs are not difficult to launch because stakeholders often have shared experiences and shared concepts. A high openmindedness for different research background as well as a reciprocal www.frontiersin.org
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