Boston University Department of Biology

Faculty Profiles

Current Research

My research concerns the relationship between microorganisms and mineral deposits. It is by nature ecological and interdisciplinary, involving aspects of paleontology, sedimentology, and geochemistry. My interests include the role of phototrophic microorganisms in carbonate deposition and dissolution, ecology of modern stromatolites, biokarst formation, and use of microborings as paleoenvironmental indicators. Special interest focuses on diversity of cyanobacteria in the ecological context, reconciling molecular and phenotypic characterizations. Research projects include (a) biosedimentation of microbialite forming and nitrogen fixing marine benthic cyanobacteria in tropical lagoons and coral reefs, (b) bioerosion and biokarst formation by microbial euendoliths in conjunction with grazing in shallow marine environments, (c) the study of microbial fossils including microborings as trace fossils, (d) the role of phototrophic and organotrophic euendoliths in coral skeletons, as potential opportunistic diseases when reef corals are under stress, and (e) formation of carbonate tufa deposits under microbial influence in past and present freshwater systems.

Courses Taught

• BI 311 General Microbiology
• BI 417/617 Lakes and Rivers (Limnology)
• BI 486/668 Marine Microbial Ecology

Selected Publications

• Laurent D, Kerbrat A-S, Darius HT, Girard E, Golubic S, Bennoit E, Sauviat M-P, Chinain M, Molgo J, Paullac S. (In Press). Are cyanobacteria involved in Ciguatera Fish Poisoning outbreaks in New Caledonia? Journal of Harmful Algae.
• Golubic S, Radtke, G (In Press). The trace Rhopalia clavigera isp. nov. reflects the development of its maker Eugomontia sacculata Kornmann 1960. In: Wisshak, M. & Tapanila, L. (Eds.). Current Developments in Bioerosion, Springer Verlag, Heidelberg, London, New York.
• Glaub I, Golubic S, Gektidis M, Radtke G, Vogel K. (2007). Microborings and microbial endoliths: Geological implications, p. 368-381. In: Miller, W. (Ed.). Trace Fossils: Concepts, Problems, Prospects. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., Amsterdam-Oxford-New York.
• Tribollet A, Langdon C, Golubic S, Atkinson M. (2006). Endolithic microflora are major primary producers in dead carbonate substrates of Hawaiian coral reefs. Journal of Phycology 42, 292-303.
• Gautret P, De Wit R, Camoin G, Golubic S. (2006). Are environmental conditions recorded by the organic matrices associated with precipitated calcium carbonate in cyanobacterial microbialites? Geobiology 4, 93-107.
• Palinska KA, Thomasium CF, Marquardt J, Golubic S. (2006): Phylogenetic evaluation of cyanobacteria preserved as historic herbarium exsiccata. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 56, 2253-2263. (doi 10 1099/ijs 0 64417-0).
• Richert L, Golubic S, De Le Gue R, Herve A, Payri C. (2006). Cyanobacterial populations that build ‘kopara’ microbial mats in Rangiroa, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. European Journal of Phycology 41, 259-279.
• Abed RMM, Palinska KA, Camoin G, Golubic S. (2006). Common evolutionary origin of planktonic and benthic nitrogen-fixing oscillatoriacean cyanobacteria from tropical oceans. FEMS Microbiology Letters 260, 171-177 (DOI: 10 1111/j 1574-6968 2006 0032x).