Metagenome and metatranscriptome study of different Ectocarpus subulatus holobionts during acclimation to low salinity stress

Ectocarpus subulatus is one of the few brown algae found in river habitats, and its capacity to tolerate freshwater has been attributed, in part, to its microbiome. We studied this phenomenon by modifying the microbiome of laboratory-grown E. subulatus via mild antibiotic treatments, impacting its capacity to grow in low salinity. We assessed the freshwater tolerance of these treated E. subulatus cultures, termed holobionts, and then compared fresh water-tolerant and intolerant holobionts regarding their acclimation to low salinity. This was achieved using a combination of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics.