Allexa Burger
Assistant Researcher, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology
Core Manager, Microbial Genomics and Analytical Laboratory
Phone: (808) 956-2713
E-mail: allexa@hawaii.edu
MY RESEARCH
I investigate microorganisms and their behavior in biological systems. With a background in pathogenesis, I interrogate host-microbe relationships and changes in bacterial behavior in response to host and environmental cues such as micronutrient availability. Moving from microbe to microbiome, I am working to define microbiome function in production systems with a focus on aquaculture production. Current projects include (1) deciphering the role of selenium and selenium-utilizing symbiotic gut fungi in microbiome form and function and the impact on health of mass-reared mosquitoes, (2) developing state-of-the-art guided probiotic delivery via live feeds for microbiome assembly and stability in larviculture operations, and (3) bioengineering process design for fermentation of macroalgae to a nutritionally upgraded feedstuff for agriculture and aquaculture. I seek to bring my expertise in microbiology, including isolation of unique and niche microorganisms, especially fungi and microeukaryotes, to develop sustainable solutions to real world issues by establishing and maintaining healthy microbiomes.
In addition to my independent research, I manage the Microbial Genomics Analytical Laboratory (MGAL), a core facility promoting microbiome research. MGAL is supported by the Integrative Center for Environmental Microbiomes and Human Health (ICEMHH), the 'microbiome' NIH-funded COBRE center in PBRC (Grant #: NIH/NIGMS P20 GM125508). I routinely consult and provide guidance in all aspects of microbiome science and metabarcoding approaches to make these techniques accessible to researchers and students from all disciplines and experience levels. This involves training on scientific equipment, teaching basic concepts and methods, and providing suggestions and feedback for sample preparation, reagent selection, and data analysis. MGAL performs wet lab workflows from DNA extractions through library prep to support and engage microbiome in Hawaii and beyond.
C-MĀIKI SYNERGY
My work focuses on the holistic understanding of natural microbiomes and how to recapitulate those microbiomes in the built environment for sustainable food production. My research focuses specifically on aquaculture production, where the microbiome traditionally is not only overlooked, but in many cases minimized in production efforts due to the need to control pathogens in rearing systems. I believe that by fostering a healthy and natural microbiome, especially in the early larval stages, we can improve the health and productivity of aquatic organisms raised for food. I am developing cutting-edge techniques that focus on microbiome function in the host and in bioprocessing systems. These projects include probiotic delivery via live feeds along with bioprocessing processes for novel feedstuff alternatives that alleviate the need to rely on wild fish stocks and carbon-intensive terrestrial farming practices to produce feeds for aquaculture. My work naturally synergizes with the C-MAIKI mission in that I am working to define and recapitulate natural microbiomes that underpin animal health in production systems, which by virtue involves determining and describing what constitutes healthy microbiomes. I collaborate with other C-MAIKI researchers to develop methods and techniques to probe microbiome function and guide microbiome development in organisms not relevant to food production such as mosquitos reared for biocontrol of avian malaria. Combined, these efforts seek to improve the health of the people, animals and ecosystems in Hawaii and beyond via intimate understand and appreciation of the microbiome that underpins our biosphere.
IMPACT TO HAWAII
Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector, and innovations in aquaculture are imperative to bring food security and nutrition to the growing global population. I am committed to promoting and enabling sustainable aquaculture production through my work, an imperative to preserve delicate ocean ecosystems worldwide by reducing fishing pressure and promoting carbon-neutral cultivation practices. In Hawaii, aquaculture production is stymied by low production in fishponds due to bottlenecks in fish rearing operations. Therefore, I am working with fishponds to help understand their unique challenges and identify areas where careful analysis and guided development of the microbiome could solve production issues and promote local food security. I am also working with the aquaculture industry in Hawaii to develop novel bioprocesses that would bring new commodities to Hawaii and economic stability to farmers throughout the Pacific.