Bertrand Lab
Marine Microbial Proteomics and Trace Nutrient Biogeochemistry
Department of Biology, Dalhousie University
Bertrand Lab
The Bertrand Lab at Dalhousie University employs physiological, biochemical, and bioanalytical approaches to improve our understanding of controls on marine microbial activity and how microbes influence major biogeochemical processes in the ocean.
Lab News
New Paper: Fe and temperature interactions in diatom growth
May 25, 2020
PhD student Loay Jabre leads this new work- We found that temperature and iron interactively influence growth in an important polar diatom - warming alleviated Fe demand, allowing cells to maximize growth under low Fe availability
Feb 11, 2020
If I can see her, I can be her. Developed by Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Canadian Museum of Nature, #MySTEMjob tells the stories of twenty inspiring women from across Canada through video shorts designed to spark curiosity in young women and inspire them to pursue STEM careers.
Jan 21, 2020
The first Science Meets Parliament event in Canada was held in November 2018 in Ottawa, where twenty-eight Tier II Canada Research Chairs (a specific class of Canadian university professor acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field) from diverse disciplines met with forty-three Members of Canadian Parliament and Senators. The main goal of this event was to facilitate communication between these two key pillars of the society, to promote mutual understanding of the nature of their respective work, roles, and responsibilities, and to build long-term relationships. Here, we, representatives of the first cohort of scientists to participate in the program, summarize our experiences and lessons learned from this event, as well as our assessment of the benefits of attending this event for scientists, policy decision-makers, and institutions. Furthermore, we provide suggestions for similar future events in Canada and elsewhere.
Just Accepted! Journal of Proteome Research- Prediction and consequences of cofragmentation in metaproteomics
September 6, 2019
Congratulations PhD student Scott McCain- first thesis chapter published. Metaproteomics, almost by definition, is more complex than single-organism proteomics. One of the consequences of this complexity is messy spectra - when two peptides are selected together and produce overlapping 'fingerprints' (MS/MS spectra). This paper empowers proteomics researchers to understand biases arising from this complexity.
August 9, 2019
In a new paper led by postdoctoral scholar Miao Wu and PhD student Scott McCain, our lab has led a collaboration that identifies manganese as a key micronutrient for shaping primary productivity in the Southern Ocean
Welcome new PDF Insa Rapp, PhD students Cat Bannon and Charvanna Dhoonmoon, and MSc student Megan Roberts!
September 2019
Exciting times in the lab- we're growing!
Congratulations on successful honours degrees Catalina Albury and Tor Kitching! We couldn't be prouder
May 31, 2019
Thankfully, they aren't going too far!
January 31, 2019
An exciting collaboration between many researchers working in the new field of marine microbial proteomics
Erin wins a Nova Scotia Discovery Award for Emerging Professional
November 2018
The Discovery Centre does important work towards building a culture of curiosity in our province, and Erin is honoured to accept this award from them
PhD student Loay Jabre wins best Biology Department Pi Day Pie, and a Lett Symposium Research Talk award!
April 5, 2019
Loay's been busy growing diatoms and perfecting his baking skills! He's won first place in our Departmental Pi Day Pie contest (winning pie shown on right) and one of three prizes for best research talk at the Dalhousie Biology Graduate student-led 2019 Lett Symposium. Congratulations Loay!