Chuang Sun

Chuang studies the microbial production and catabolism of DMSP associated to sponges, particularly Suberites massa and Hymeniacidon perlevis. These sponges have complex holobiomes and many unknown metabolisms and are understudied for their ability to cycle organosulfur compounds. She has shown that sponges accumulate high levels of DMSP and have DMSP lyase activity, producing the climate-active gas DMS. Her research aims to determine who is producing and cleaving the DMSP associated to the sponges and the importance of the processes to the host, its holobiome and the environment.