Seaweeds play a critical role as foundation species in coastal ecosystems throughout the world. I believe that advancing our understanding of seaweed biodiversity is essential to protect ecosystems. As a seaweed biologist, I work on the interface between taxonomy and functional ecosystem interactions. My research focuses on marine biodiversity, host-microbiome interactions, and the impact of environmental change on these relationships.
Keywords
seaweeds, macroalgae, phycology, microbiome, symbiosis, marine biodiversity, DNA barcoding, genomics, environmental change, North Sea
Researchinterest
“Beneath our superficial differences we are all of us walking communities of bacteria. The world shimmers, a pointillist landscape made of tiny living beings.”
(Lynn Margulis in: ‘Microcosmos: Four Billion Years of Microbial Evolution’)
My research focuses on:
- Seaweed biodiversity, especially in the Netherlands and Caribbean.
- Host-microbiome interactions. Microbes such as bacteria and viruses are essential for a healthy functioning seaweed.
- Seaweed taxonomy. I currently focus on Sea lettuces (Ulva species).
- The effect of environmental change on seaweed ecology and physiology.
I combine field-based observations, laboratory experiments and morphological analyses with molecular methods such as metabarcoding, metagenomics and genomics.
Currenttopics
European Ulva Taxonomy Initiative
Ulva is arguably one of the most abundant, widespread and best known seaweed genera in the world. However, the true extent of its species diversity remains a significant knowledge gap, even in well-explored regions such as Europe. This project aims to conduct a thorough assessment of Ulva diversity on a European scale, based on DNA-sequence data.
Read more: EULVA
Keypublications
- Knoop J., Bouckenooghe S., van der Loos L.M., D’hondt S., Karremans M., Perk F., Leliaert F., De Clerck O. 2024. DNA barcoding reveals an extensive number of cryptic introductions of bladed Bangiales (Rhodophyta) in the Southern North Sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 11: fmars.2024.1415034.
- van der Loos L.M., Bafort Q., Bosch S., ..., De Clerck O. 2024. Non-indigenous seaweeds in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and Macaronesia: a critical synthesis of diversity, spatial and temporal patterns. European Journal of Phycology 59(2): 127-156.
- van der Loos L.M., De Coninck L., Zell R., Lequime S., Willems A., De Clerck O., Matthijnssens J. 2023. Highly divergent CRESS DNA and picorna-like viruses associated with bleached thalli of the green seaweed Ulva. Microbiology Spectrum 11(5): e00255-23
- van der Loos L.M., D’hondt S., Engelen A.H., Pavia H., Toth G.B., Willems A., Weinberger F., De Clerck O., Steinhagen S. 2023. Salinity and host drive Ulva‐associated bacterial communities across the Atlantic–Baltic Sea gradient. Molecular Ecology 32(23): 6260-6277.
- van der Loos L.M. & Nijland R. 2021. Biases in bulk: DNA metabarcoding of marine communities and the methodology involved. Molecular Ecology 30 (13): 3270-3288.
- van der Loos L.M., Karremans M., Perk F. 2021. Veldgids Zeewieren. KNNV Uitgeverij. ISBN: 9789050118019.
- van der Loos L.M., Eriksson B.K., Falcão Salles J. 2019. The macroalgal holobiont in a changing sea. Trends in Microbiology 27(7): 635-650.
In themedia
I enjoy promoting the beauty and importance of seaweed diversity. I frequently write popular-scientific articles and lead workshops on seaweeds and marine biodiversity to engage the broader public.
2024:
NPO Radio 1 De Nacht van NTR Wetenschap – 21 november 2024: Er groeit goud aan de Nederlandse kust
NatureToday – 10 november 2024: Van vier naar dertien soorten purperwier in Nederland na onderzoek
2023:
NatureToday – 5 februari 2023: Nieuw roodwier maakt Grevelingenmeer wollig
2022:
TV reportage Vroege Vogels – 18 november 2022: Kustbescherming is leefgebied voor talloze zeewieren
NatureToday – 10 december 2022: Een nieuw zeewier: Stomp rendiergeweiwier
Podcast 'Verstrengeld' – 1 oktober 2022: Aflevering 4
Radio reportage Vroege Vogels – 20 augustus 2022: Grevelingenmeer kleurt minder rozerood dan vorig jaar
NatureToday – 1 mei 2022: Zeeland drie roodwieren rijker
