Dr Eva C. Sonnenschein

Associate Professor, Biosciences

+44 (0) 1792 604106

e.c.sonnenschein@swansea.ac.uk

Academic Office - 110
First Floor
Wallace Building
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6959-5100

Google Scholar

ResearcherID

About

I am a marine microbiologist investigating microbial interactions in the microalgal holobiont.

Microalgae are responsible for 50% of the global carbon fixation and are promising biotechnological production systems. Their health in Nature and application is intrinsically interlinked to their associated bacteria. Therefore, I study marine bacteria and microalgae to understand the basic principles underlying their interactions and ultimately aim to support the implementation of microalgae as sustainable, biological production systems.

For my research, I use various molecular, biochemical and bioinformatic tools and am currently implementing lab automation and high throughput screening in our workflows.

Areas Of Expertise

Marine microbiology
Microbial ecology
Chemical ecology
Microbial interactions
Microbial communities
Microbial biotechnology

Publications

Research Highlights

Lindqvist, L., Jarmusch, S., Sonnenschein, E., Strube, M., Kim, J., Nielsen, M., Kempen, P., Schoof, E., Zhang, S., & Gram, L. (2023). Tropodithietic Acid, a Multifunctional Antimicrobial, Facilitates Adaption and Colonization of the Producer, Phaeobacter piscinae. mSphere, 8(1)
https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00517-22, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62315
Henriksen, N., Schostag, M., Balder, S., Bech, P., Strube, M., Sonnenschein, E., & Gram, L. (2022). The ability of Phaeobacter inhibens to produce tropodithietic acid influences the community dynamics of a microalgal microbiome. ISME Communications, 2(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43705-022-00193-6, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61808
Henriksen, N., Lindqvist, L., Wibowo, M., Sonnenschein, E., Bentzon-Tilia, M., & Gram, L. (2022). Role is in the eye of the beholder—the multiple functions of the antibacterial compound tropodithietic acid produced by marine Rhodobacteraceae. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 46(3)
https://doi.org/10.1093/femsre/fuac007, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61713
Liu, Y., Wang, S., Li, L., Yang, T., Dong, S., Wei, T., Wu, S., Liu, Y., Gong, Y., Feng, X., Ma, J., Chang, G., Huang, J., Yang, Y., Wang, H., Liu, M., Xu, Y., Liang, H., Yu, J...., & Zhang, S. (2022). The Cycas genome and the early evolution of seed plants. Nature Plants, 8(4), 389-401.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-022-01129-7, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61714
Guo, J., Jian, J., Wang, L., Xiong, L., Lin, H., Zhou, Z., Sonnenschein, E., & Wu, W. (2022). Genome Sequences of Two Strains of Prototheca wickerhamii Provide Insight Into the Protothecosis Evolution. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.797017, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61715
Li, L., Wang, H., Wang, S., Xu, Y., Liang, H., Liu, H., & Sonnenschein, E. (2021). The Draft Genome of the Centric Diatom Conticribra weissflogii (Coscinodiscophyceae, Ochrophyta). Protist, 172(5-6), 125845
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.protis.2021.125845, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61719
Borre, I. & Sonnenschein, E. (2021). Draft Genome Sequences of Nine Environmental Bacterial Isolates Colonizing Plastic. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 10(11)
https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.01485-20, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61716
Hansen, J., Melchiorsen, J., Ciacotich, N., Gram, L., & Sonnenschein, E. (2021). Effect of polymer type on the colonization of plastic pellets by marine bacteria. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 368(5)
https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnab026, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61717
Sonnenschein, E., Jimenez, G., Castex, M., & Gram, L. (2021). The Roseobacter-Group Bacterium Phaeobacter as a Safe Probiotic Solution for Aquaculture. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 87(5)
https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.02581-20, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61718
Paulsen, S., Isbrandt, T., Kirkegaard, M., Buijs, Y., Strube, M., Sonnenschein, E., Larsen, T., & Gram, L. (2020). Production of the antimicrobial compound tetrabromopyrrole and the Pseudomonas quinolone system precursor, 2-heptyl-4-quinolone, by a novel marine species Pseudoalteromonas galatheae sp. nov.. Scientific Reports, 10(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78439-3, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61722

All Research

Journal Articles

Jian, J., Wu, Z., Silva-Núñez, A., Li, X., Zheng, X., Luo, B., Liu, Y., Fang, X., Workman, C., Larsen, T., Hansen, P., & Sonnenschein, E. (2024). Long-read genome sequencing provides novel insights into the harmful algal bloom species Prymnesium parvum. Science of The Total Environment, 908, 168042
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168042, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64836
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168042
Roager, L., Sonnenschein, E., & Gram, L. (2023). Sequence-Based Characterization of Microalgal Microbiomes: Impact of DNA Extraction Protocol on Yield and Community Composition. Microbiology Spectrum, 11(2)
https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03408-22, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63855
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03408-22
Raina, J., Giardina, M., Brumley, D., Clode, P., Pernice, M., Guagliardo, P., Bougoure, J., Mendis, H., Smriga, S., Sonnenschein, E., Ullrich, M., Stocker, R., & Seymour, J. (2023). Chemotaxis increases metabolic exchanges between marine picophytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria. Nature Microbiology, 8(3), 510-521.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01327-9, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62673
Lindqvist, L., Jarmusch, S., Sonnenschein, E., Strube, M., Kim, J., Nielsen, M., Kempen, P., Schoof, E., Zhang, S., & Gram, L. (2023). Tropodithietic Acid, a Multifunctional Antimicrobial, Facilitates Adaption and Colonization of the Producer, Phaeobacter piscinae. mSphere, 8(1)
https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00517-22, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62315
Henriksen, N., Schostag, M., Balder, S., Bech, P., Strube, M., Sonnenschein, E., & Gram, L. (2022). The ability of Phaeobacter inhibens to produce tropodithietic acid influences the community dynamics of a microalgal microbiome. ISME Communications, 2(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43705-022-00193-6, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61808
Henriksen, N., Lindqvist, L., Wibowo, M., Sonnenschein, E., Bentzon-Tilia, M., & Gram, L. (2022). Role is in the eye of the beholder—the multiple functions of the antibacterial compound tropodithietic acid produced by marine Rhodobacteraceae. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 46(3)
https://doi.org/10.1093/femsre/fuac007, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61713
Liu, Y., Wang, S., Li, L., Yang, T., Dong, S., Wei, T., Wu, S., Liu, Y., Gong, Y., Feng, X., Ma, J., Chang, G., Huang, J., Yang, Y., Wang, H., Liu, M., Xu, Y., Liang, H., Yu, J...., & Zhang, S. (2022). The Cycas genome and the early evolution of seed plants. Nature Plants, 8(4), 389-401.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-022-01129-7, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61714
Guo, J., Jian, J., Wang, L., Xiong, L., Lin, H., Zhou, Z., Sonnenschein, E., & Wu, W. (2022). Genome Sequences of Two Strains of Prototheca wickerhamii Provide Insight Into the Protothecosis Evolution. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.797017, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61715
Li, L., Wang, H., Wang, S., Xu, Y., Liang, H., Liu, H., & Sonnenschein, E. (2021). The Draft Genome of the Centric Diatom Conticribra weissflogii (Coscinodiscophyceae, Ochrophyta). Protist, 172(5-6), 125845
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.protis.2021.125845, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61719
Borre, I. & Sonnenschein, E. (2021). Draft Genome Sequences of Nine Environmental Bacterial Isolates Colonizing Plastic. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 10(11)
https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.01485-20, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61716
Hansen, J., Melchiorsen, J., Ciacotich, N., Gram, L., & Sonnenschein, E. (2021). Effect of polymer type on the colonization of plastic pellets by marine bacteria. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 368(5)
https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnab026, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61717
Sonnenschein, E., Jimenez, G., Castex, M., & Gram, L. (2021). The Roseobacter-Group Bacterium Phaeobacter as a Safe Probiotic Solution for Aquaculture. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 87(5)
https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.02581-20, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61718
Paulsen, S., Isbrandt, T., Kirkegaard, M., Buijs, Y., Strube, M., Sonnenschein, E., Larsen, T., & Gram, L. (2020). Production of the antimicrobial compound tetrabromopyrrole and the Pseudomonas quinolone system precursor, 2-heptyl-4-quinolone, by a novel marine species Pseudoalteromonas galatheae sp. nov.. Scientific Reports, 10(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78439-3, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61722
Dittmann, K., Rasmussen, B., Melchiorsen, J., Sonnenschein, E., Gram, L., & Bentzon-Tilia, M. (2020). Changes in the Microbiome of Mariculture Feed Organisms after Treatment with a Potentially Probiotic Strain of Phaeobacter inhibens. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 86(14)
https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.00499-20, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61720
Vickery, C., McCulloch, I., Sonnenschein, E., Beld, J., Noel, J., & Burkart, M. (2020). Dissecting modular synthases through inhibition: A complementary chemical and genetic approach. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 30(2), 126820
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126820, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61721
Roager, L. & Sonnenschein, E. (2019). Bacterial Candidates for Colonization and Degradation of Marine Plastic Debris. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(20), 11636-11643.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b02212, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61725
Buijs, Y., Bech, P., Vazquez-Albacete, D., Bentzon-Tilia, M., Sonnenschein, E., Gram, L., & Zhang, S. (2019). Marine Proteobacteria as a source of natural products: advances in molecular tools and strategies. Natural Product Reports, 36(9), 1333-1350.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c9np00020h, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61730
Paulsen, S., Strube, M., Bech, P., Gram, L., & Sonnenschein, E. (2019). Marine Chitinolytic Pseudoalteromonas Represents an Untapped Reservoir of Bioactive Potential. mSystems, 4(4)
https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00060-19, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61726
Dittmann, K., Porsby, C., Goncalves, P., Mateiu, R., Sonnenschein, E., Bentzon‐Tilia, M., Egan, S., & Gram, L. (2019). Tropodithietic acid induces oxidative stress response, cell envelope biogenesis and iron uptake in Vibrio vulnificus. Environmental Microbiology Reports, 11(4), 581-588.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.12771, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61727
Dittmann, K., Sonnenschein, E., Egan, S., Gram, L., & Bentzon‐Tilia, M. (2019). Impact of Phaeobacter inhibens on marine eukaryote-associated microbial communities. Environmental Microbiology Reports, 11(3), 401-413.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.12698, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61728
Phippen, C., Jørgensen, C., Bentzon-Tilia, M., Gotfredsen, C., Larsen, T., Gram, L., & Sonnenschein, E. (2019). Isolation of Methyl Troposulfenin from Phaeobacter inhibens. Journal of Natural Products, 82(5), 1387-1390.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b01097, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61729
Sonnenschein, E., Phippen, C., Bentzon-Tilia, M., Rasmussen, S., Nielsen, K., & Gram, L. (2018). Phylogenetic distribution of roseobacticides in the Roseobacter group and their effect on microalgae. Environmental Microbiology Reports, 10(3), 383-393.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.12649, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61731
Sonnenschein, E., Phippen, C., Nielsen, K., Mateiu, R., Melchiorsen, J., Gram, L., Overmann, J., & Freese, H. (2017). Phaeobacter piscinae sp. nov., a species of the Roseobacter group and potential aquaculture probiont. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 67(11), 4559-4564.
https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.002331, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61733
Sonnenschein, E., Stierhof, M., Goralczyk, S., Vabre, F., Pellissier, L., Hanssen, K., Cruz, M., Díaz, C., Witte, P., Copmans, D., Andersen, J., Hansen, E., Kristoffersen, V., Tormo, J., Ebel, R., Milne, B., Deng, H., Gram, L., Jaspars, M., & Tabudravu, J. (2017). Pseudochelin A, a siderophore of Pseudoalteromonas piscicida S2040. Tetrahedron, 73(18), 2633-2637.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2017.03.051, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61735
Sonnenschein, E., Nielsen, K., D'Alvise, P., Porsby, C., Melchiorsen, J., Heilmann, J., Kalatzis, P., López-Pérez, M., Bunk, B., Spröer, C., Middelboe, M., & Gram, L. (2017). Global occurrence and heterogeneity of the Roseobacter-clade species Ruegeria mobilis. The ISME Journal, 11(2), 569-583.
https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2016.111, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61734
Sonnenschein, E., Pu, Y., Beld, J., & Burkart, M. (2016). Phosphopantetheinylation in the green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Journal of Applied Phycology, 28(6), 3259-3267.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-016-0875-7, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61737
Bentzon-Tilia, M., Sonnenschein, E., & Gram, L. (2016). Monitoring and managing microbes in aquaculture - Towards a sustainable industry. Microbial Biotechnology, 9(5), 576-584.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.12392, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61736
Kopf, A., Bicak, M., Kottmann, R., Schnetzer, J., Kostadinov, I., Lehmann, K., Fernandez-Guerra, A., Jeanthon, C., Rahav, E., Ullrich, M., Wichels, A., Gerdts, G., Polymenakou, P., Kotoulas, G., Siam, R., Abdallah, R., Sonnenschein, E., Cariou, T., O’Gara, F...., & Sonnenschein, E. (2015). The ocean sampling day consortium. GigaScience, 4(1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13742-015-0066-5, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61739
Machado, H., Sonnenschein, E., Melchiorsen, J., & Gram, L. (2015). Genome mining reveals unlocked bioactive potential of marine Gram-negative bacteria. BMC Genomics, 16(1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-015-1365-z, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61738
Rasmussen, B., Nielsen, K., Machado, H., Melchiorsen, J., Gram, L., & Sonnenschein, E. (2014). Global and Phylogenetic Distribution of Quorum Sensing Signals, Acyl Homoserine Lactones, in the Family of Vibrionaceae. Marine Drugs, 12(11), 5527-5546.
https://doi.org/10.3390/md12115527, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61740
Beld, J., Sonnenschein, E., Vickery, C., Noel, J., & Burkart, M. (2013). The phosphopantetheinyl transferases: catalysis of a post-translational modification crucial for life. Nat. Prod. Rep., 31(1), 61-108.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c3np70054b, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61732
Sonnenschein, E., Syit, D., Grossart, H., & Ullrich, M. (2012). Chemotaxis of Marinobacter adhaerens and Its Impact on Attachment to the Diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 78(19), 6900-6907.
https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01790-12, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61741
Sonnenschein, E., Gärdes, A., Seebah, S., Grossart, H., & Ullrich, M. (2012). Marinobacter adhaerens sp. nov., isolated from marine aggregates formed with the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 62(1), 124-128.
https://doi.org/10.1099/ijs.0.030189-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61744
Sonnenschein, E., Gärdes, A., Seebah, S., Torres-Monroy, I., Grossart, H., & Ullrich, M. (2011). Development of a genetic system for Marinobacter adhaerens HP15 involved in marine aggregate formation by interacting with diatom cells. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 87(2), 176-183.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2011.08.008, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61742
Ianora, A., Bentley, M., Caldwell, G., Casotti, R., Cembella, A., Engström-Öst, J., Halsband, C., Sonnenschein, E., Legrand, C., Llewellyn, C., Paldavičienë, A., Pilkaityte, R., Pohnert, G., Razinkovas, A., Romano, G., Tillmann, U., & Vaiciute, D. (2011). The Relevance of Marine Chemical Ecology to Plankton and Ecosystem Function: An Emerging Field. Marine Drugs, 9(9), 1625-1648.
https://doi.org/10.3390/md9091625, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61743
Gärdes, A., Sonnenschein, E., Shehzad, A., Seebah, S., Teeling, H., Yarza, P., Glöckner, F., Grossart, H., & Ullrich, M. (2010). Complete genome sequence of Marinobacter adhaerens type strain (HP15), a diatom-interacting marine microorganism. Standards in Genomic Sciences, 3(2), 97-107.
https://doi.org/10.4056/sigs.922139, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61745

Taught Modules

BIO104 Cellular & Microbial Biology

This module provides a broad introduction to fundamental concepts in cell biology, including the biochemistry and structure of the cell and cell diversity. Life is more abundant than what we can see with our eyes. Plants, animals and humans are a small minority among living organisms because there is no niche on earth which is not colonized by microbes (i.e., archaea, bacteria, fungi, protists, and viruses). As part of this module, you will learn that microbes were the first form of life on earth, support all kinds of life, and play a vital role in shaping the planet. Students will gain practical experience in handling and culturing microorganisms, microscopy and spectroscopy.
BIO340 Professional Laboratory Skills

Professional Laboratory Skills is a module that provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience of fundamental and advanced laboratory techniques in the broad area of biomolecular sciences. BIO340 consists of four intense laboratory sessions: two conducted in the wet-lab and two conducted in the computer lab. This blend of in vitro and in silico experimentation reflects the skills needed by modern biology graduates. Each session will have a theme: (1) protein biochemistry, (2) in silico structural manipulations, (3) PCR-techniques and gel electrophoresis, (4) Bioinformatics. Students will examine the structure-function relationship of a conserved, yet functionally diverse, family of proteins. Such proteins are found in plants, animals (including invertebrates) and microorganisms. [It should be noted that this module runs out of term time (usually early September), in a similar manner to residential field courses]

Career History

Associate Professor, Swansea University

2022 - Present
Senior Scientist, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

2019 - 2022
Assistant Professor, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

2017 - 2019
Postdoctoral fellow, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

2013 - 2017
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, San Diego, USA

2011 - 2013
Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Jacobs University Bremen and graduate school at Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany

2008 - 2011
Diploma in Biology (master equivalent), Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Kiel, Germany / Syddansk Universitet, Denmark

2002 - 2005

Dr Eva C. Sonnenschein

Telephone number

Email address

Twitter Account

LinkedIn Account

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Publications

Research Highlights

All Research

Journal Articles

Taught Modules

BIO104 Cellular & Microbial Biology

BIO340 Professional Laboratory Skills

Career History

Associate Professor, Swansea University

Senior Scientist, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Assistant Professor, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Postdoctoral fellow, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, San Diego, USA

Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Jacobs University Bremen and graduate school at Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany

Diploma in Biology (master equivalent), Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Kiel, Germany / Syddansk Universitet, Denmark