Marine Microbiology

Colin Munn is an Honorary Fellow of the Marine Institute, University of Plymouth since retiring as Associate Professor in Microbiology in 2017, where he was Head of Department of Biological Sciences and Admissions Tutor for Marine Biology courses. He obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Microbiology from University College London and a PhD from the University of Birmingham. Colin has particular research interests in the interactions between symbiotic and pathogenic microbes and their hosts, and has studied microbial interactions with plants, invertebrates, fish, and humans. His most recent research took him into various aspects of marine microbiology, including the effects of environmental stress on microbial community structure in corals and other marine invertebrates. He is a strong advocate of a comparative approach and is passionate about using novel teaching approaches that enable students to understand new research discoveries, and developing undergraduate courses that raise awareness of the importance of microorganisms and viruses in marine biology and ocean processes. Colin also has extensive experience in postgraduate supervision and as an External Examiner; he has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Victoria, Canada; Central University of Venezuela; St George’s University, Grenada; and James Cook University/Australian Institute of Marine Science.Taylor Priest obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Marine Biology and Oceanography from the University of Plymouth before moving to the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Marine Microbiology in Bremen to undertake an MSc degree in Marine Microbiology and a PhD in Microbial Ecology. During the PhD, he combined field expeditions on land and at sea with high-throughput sequencing of DNA/RNA and bioinformatics to investigate the diversity and spatiotemporal dynamics of microbes inhabiting the Arctic Ocean. Following this, he moved to the Microbiome Research Lab at ETH Zurich as a Postdoctoral Researcher, studying the patterns and mechanisms of diversification in marine microorganisms. In 2024, he was awarded a NOMIS-ETH Postdoctoral Fellowship to unravel and characterise the diversity of mobile genetic elements on Earth and their contribution to shaping microbial ecology and evolution. During his time at MPI Bremen and ETH Zurich, Taylor has also contributed to teaching bioinformatics and genomics modules in MSc and BSc programs and supervision of MSc and PhD theses.Cordelia Roberts obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Marine Biology and Oceanography and an MRes in Marine Biology from the University of Plymouth. She completed a NERC-funded ARIES PhD, also at the University of Plymouth in collaboration with the Marine Biological Association UK (MBA) in Marine Microbial Oceanography and Biogeochemistry. She held her first post-doctoral position at the MBA, looking at how fungal ecology and marine biogeochemistry in coastal regions are intertwined. Cordelia is currently a Post Doctoral Research Associate at Imperial College London interested in microbial carbon turnover on organic particles in the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. She supports Masters and PhD students working in marine Microbial Ecology, Oceanography, andBiogeochemistry, and is a network co-lead for the NERC BIO-Carbon Early Career Ocean Professionals Network and is an Associate Editor for the Springer Nature journalOcean Ecosystems.Justin Seymour is a Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, where he leads the Ocean Microbiology Group. His research applies genomic approaches and high-precision imaging techniques to examine the ecological interactions between marine microorganisms. He studies these processes across a continuum of spatial and temporal scales, from microscale interactions that are played out within individual drops of seawater, to regionalscales where mesoscale oceanographic features shape ocean microbiology. Within this context, he has a particular interest in the ecological relationships between phytoplankton and bacteria. In addition, Justin studies the impacts of climate change on marine water quality, whereby increasing water temperatures are stimulating outbreaks of pathogenic and toxic microorganisms, and more intense precipitation events are escalating coastal contamination.Joanna Warwick-Dugdale has a strong background in Marine Microbiology, Virology, and Genomics. Her research focuses on understanding the role of marine microorganisms, algae, and viruses in global nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning. After gaining a BSc (Hons) degree in Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth, she obtained a PhD in Marine Viral Metagenomics from the University of Exeter, with Plymouth Marine Laboratory. She has been involved in various projects, including the investigation of viral communities in coastal and open ocean marine environments and the development of long-read viral metagenomic methods. Jo is currently a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the Marine Biological Association UK, where she is conducting research funded by Horizon Europe investigating spatial and temporal patterns of marine biodiversity in the Western English Channel, and comparing eDNA-based datasets with ‘traditional’ observations such as microscopy.Erik Zettler obtained a BS degree in Biology from Allegheny College, an MSc in Biology at the University of Waterloo, and a PhD in Microbial Ecology at the Autonomous University of Madrid. From 1985 to 1994, he was a member of the Biology Department at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution where he worked primarily on open ocean picoplankton using flow cytometry. From 1994 to 2016, he taught and did research at SEA Education Association as Science Coordinator, Professor, and Associate Dean. It was during research cruises with undergraduate students on the SEA vessels that he first became interested in plastic marine debris, and particularly the role of microbial biofilms on the fate of plastic in aquatic systems. Erik has participated in over 80 research cruises collecting oceanographic data and samples in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. In 2017, he joined the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). Whenever possible, Erik escapes from the lab and his computer to work and teach in the field. Most recently he co-taught a seaweeds course aboard a research vessel and at the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) station on the island of Curaçao.

• List of Research Focus Boxes. Preface. Acknowledgements. Author Biographies. Chapter 1 Microbes in the Marine Environment. Chapter 2 Methods in Marine Microbiology. Chapter 3 Metabolic Diversity and Ecophysiology. Chapter 4 Marine Bacteria. Chapter 5 Marine Archaea. Chapter 6 Marine Eukaryotic Microbes. Chapter 7 Marine Viruses. Chapter 8 Microbes in Ocean Processes: Carbon Cycling. Chapter 9 Microbes in Ocean Processes—Iron, Nitrogen, Sulfur, Phosphorus, and Silicon Cycling. Chapter 10 Microbial Symbioses of Marine Animals. Chapter 11 Microbial Diseases of Marine Organisms. Chapter 12 Marine Microbes and Human Disease. Chapter 13 Microbial Aspects of Marine Biofouling, Biodeterioration, and Pollution. Chapter 14 Marine Microbial Biotechnology. Chapter 15 Concluding Remarks. Index.

"Deep diving into a sea of microbes and their infinite impacts on human life, Professor Munn once again gifts us with the most authoritative textbook in the field, inspiring the next generation of marine microbiologists."Dr Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Assistant Professor, Fluminense Federal University, BrazilPRAISE FOR PREVIOUS EDITIONS"I am delighted to see the new edition of Colin Munn’s "Marine Microbiology". The previous editions have been my go to texts for supporting teaching and providing a foundational understanding. The new Edition has retained many of the key features of the previous editions, including an excellent updated summary of the broad variety of methods used in marine microbiology. It is great to see the inclusion of greater details on emerging new topics in marine microbiology, such as the marine mycobiome. The research boxes are informative, enriching and exciting, covering multiple hot topics in marine microbiology, ranging from cable bacteria, to melting sea ice and microplastics. A must read for new students exploring the field and well-established marine microbiologists alike."Michael Cunliffe, MBA Senior Research Fellow, Associate Professor in Marine Microbiology, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK"The new text is well written, illustrated, and organized. It will serve as a good resource for entry into the primary literature. In addition, the scope of topics included in this edition should interest an audience broader than the community of microbiologists."S. R. Fegley, emeritus, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in May 2021 issue (Vol 58, No. 9) of CHOICE. "The new edition of this book captures all the recent amazing advances in our understanding of the marine microbiology world but still manages to present the concepts in a an easy, informative and entertaining way that will engage the novice to the expert. What a great book and a fun read."David Bourne, James Cook University and The Australian Institute of Marine Science"It is great to see another edition of the book given that marine microbiology is such a fast moving and scientifically diverse field. Munn’s new edition will be a great resource for new students and advanced scientists alike."Greta Reintjes, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany"Munn's textbook presents the burgeoning field of marine microbiology in a manner that is sure to excite newcomers to the field while also capturing the latest ideas and results to give seasoned experts food for thought. An excellent primer for anyone seeking to explore the tiny masters of the oceans!"Mya Breitbart, University of South Florida, Florida, USA"Reading this textbook has made me realise how much the field of marine microbiology has progressed in recent decades. I recommend this book also to biogeochemists and ecologists in search of the Big Picture of ocean functioning. The many details of interactions emerging from the microbial world are amazing and shed light on the factors driving evolution of these ancient ecosystems."Victor Smetacek, Professor of Bio-Oceanography and Departmental Head at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven"It has been astonishing to see the evolution of this book over the years. With its many ‘RESEARCH FOCUS’ boxes and ‘SIDEBARS’, this is more than your usual textbook. It is written in an enthusiastic, thought-provoking manner, encompassing the most up-to-date concepts in marine microbiology. From planktonic tunicates involved in carbon cycling, to viruses infecting other viruses, this essential read has it all!"Jozef I. Nissimov, Lecturer in Microbial Oceanography, SAMS, Scottish Marine Institute, UK"This book is a comprehensive and necessary guide for any budding Marine Microbiologist -- or indeed anyone eager to learn more about the micro-sized life beneath the waves. The previous edition of this book helped me through my undergraduate degree and set me on the path to my current research career in Marine Microbiology, and has also helped countless colleagues get to grips with the area for the first time. It is written in a way that is both engaging and educational, and the new section in this edition that covers biodeterioration, biodegradation and pollution is sure to be of interest to a whole new generation of Microbiologists."Robyn Wright, marine/micro/molecular biologist, ACU Blue Charter-funded research fellow, Dalhousie University, Canada"This new edition of the Marine Microbiology textbook provides a complete overview of the fundamentals and recent advances of the complex and fascinating world of marine microbes. With a friendly format, including supplementary notes, nice pictures, and illustrative diagrams, Munn’s book is a valuable contribution to the field and an obligate resource for the coming generations of marine microbiologists."Marcelo Gutiérrez, Universidad de Concepción, Chile"The new version of Munn’s book is really great! It has been updated to include the most recent research, including DMSP production by bacteria. In addition, this edition contains much more regarding biogeochemical cycles as well as marine eukaryotic microbies. I also like the new subtitles for section headings compared with the second edition. I will certainly refer to this textbook for my teaching."Xiao-Hua Zhang, Professor in Marine Microbiology, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, China"This book effectively articulates microbiology in an easy to understand manner. It communicates key concepts and phenomena by use of diagrams and photographs to support the text. The use of Research and Information Boxes is also useful to focus attention on key points for the reader to understand and assimilate."Ian R. Cooper, Principal Lecturer in Microbiology, School of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, UK"Filled with newest insights in the field of marine microbiology, Colin has done an outstanding job of compiling our continuously growing wealth of knowledge from all research areas in his new edition of the book. This book reflects Colin's perpetual enthusiasm for introducing students to marine microbiology that I experienced myself. Because of his captivating style of writing, this book is especially easy to read, digest and comprehend for students."Målin Tietjen, Max-Planck-Institut für Marine Mikrobiologie, Bremen, Germany"I’ve kept Munn’s "Marine Microbiology" on my own reference shelf since the first edition and continue to use this text for my own research as well as assigning sections for university courses ranging from microbial ecology to oceanography. The new edition is significantly expanded and incorporates many new discoveries and subfields within the rapidly developing field of marine microbiology. Munn’s "Marine Microbiology" is an excellent overview and introduction for any marine scientist, providing clear, concise coverage of the major topics in marine microbial ecology, as well as key references for those who wish to delve further into specific research topics."Erik Zettler, Dept. of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research"I recommend this textbook to all students of microbiology as essential reading. In its new edition Colin Munn again captures all the excitement he shares with many of us on the rapid progress of marine microbiology. How can one discuss issues like climate change or global element cycling without knowing about environmental microbes? So, open this very readable book, enjoy the breadth and depth of the well illustrated chapters, have a look at the 28 boxes highlighting current research and get updated on the amazing diversity and indispensable functions of marine microbes."Rudolf Amann, Director, Professor, Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Germany"The new edition of Munn’s Marine Microbiology Ecology and Applications textbook provides a thorough, up-to-date, holistic view of the state of the field, highlighting some of the fascinating recent discoveries which make marine microbiology such an important and exciting topic. Munn has achieved his goal of writing with a sense of excitement, immersing the reader in the intricacies of the microbial world in way that will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of marine microbiologists."Lauren Messer, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia