Dr. Ornella Carrión

Every year microorganisms in Earth’s oceans likely make millions of tonnes of dimethylsulfoxoniumpropionate (DMSOP) from the oxidation of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). However, this prediction is likely a vast underestimation since it ignores marine sediments, where DMSOP is exceptionally abundant. Importantly, DMSOP synthesis likely limits the production of climate-active gases from DMSP, but critical evidence for this is missing. Ornella is using a multidisciplinary approach to study the biodiversity, regulation, and environmental importance of the organisms, enzymes and pathways cycling DMSOP and their potential effects on climate.