The Mlab at the SCAR

Last week, members of the Mlab had the exciting opportunity to participate in the SCAR 2024 Open Science Conference, held in the beautiful city of Pucón, Chile 🇨🇱. The SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) is an esteemed global platform that brings together leading scientists to promote and coordinate research in the Antarctic. The conference serves as a hub for exchanging groundbreaking ideas and fostering collaboration on key scientific challenges related to the Antarctic region.

🌍✨ Mireia Mestre gave a talk titled "Latitudinal Gradients and Vertical Connectivity in the Southern Ocean Microbiome", where she discussed how microbial communities are structured across different latitudes and depths in the Southern Ocean. Her research is vital for understanding how microbial ecosystems interact and function in this remote and changing environment.

In addition to the talk, we presented two impactful posters: 📊 Camila Marín showcased her research on "Changes in the Metabolic Pathways of Prokaryote Communities Associated with Phytoplankton Bloom During the Spring-Summer Transition in Maxwell Bay (Northern Antarctic Peninsula)". Her work explores how prokaryotic communities shift in response to seasonal phytoplankton blooms, offering insight into the microbial drivers of nutrient cycling during these key seasonal transitions.

🦐 Alicia presented her poster titled "Unraveling the Antarctic Krill Microbiome Present in Krill Internal and External Body Parts". Her research investigates the unique microbiome of Antarctic krill, revealing the crucial relationships between krill and the microorganisms living both inside and on their bodies, which are essential for the Antarctic food web and ecosystem health.

The conference was an inspiring experience, allowing us to share our research, engage with leading experts, and deepen our understanding of the Antarctic's complex microbial dynamics. It was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen connections within the Antarctic science community 🌊❄️.