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Airborne transmission of microorganisms research
Airborne microorganisms play a crucial role in natural and agricultural ecosystems, however little tangible evidence exists about the biological factors that drive microbial dispersal by air.
AUT research aims to identify the traits responsible for increased dispersal range and identify of which microbes and adaptations persist best in the air, and provide understanding of the mechanisms behind these processes. This knowledge will help improve modelling of airborne dispersal of diseases and increase our understanding of ecosystems.
Related articles
- Global Atmospheric Microbiome Project
- Airborne microbial transport limitation to isolated Antarctic soil habitats (Nature)
- Air mass source determines airborne microbial diversity at the ocean–atmosphere interface of the Great Barrier Reef marine ecosystem (Nature)
- Anthropogenic impact on the atmospheric microbiome (Nature)
Dr Stephen Archer collecting airborne microorganisms from Wright Valley, Antarctica to determine their movement within and between valleys
Collection of samples from the Desert Studies Centre in the Mojave Desert, USA
Airborne microorganism collection from above the boundary layer at 2000 meter above the Copiapo region in Chile
Collection of samples from 4,200 meters above sea level on Mauna Kea in Hawaii
Researchers involved
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