I am a senior scientist and a chemical ecologist at PML with a passion to investigate “language of life’ in our oceans. Over the years I have developed an expertise in investigating chemically mediated communication between seaweeds and microbes under present and future oceans i.e. climate change stressors.
I completed my PhD in Algal Chemical Ecology at Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research (GEOMAR), Germany with an international fellowship. Following the completion of my PhD and a family care break, I was awarded an international research grant from the German Research Foundation (DFG) excellence cluster “Future Ocean’ to work on chemical ecology of invasive seaweeds at GEOMAR. During that time, I was awarded an international research fellowship to pursue my next research project on volatile info-chemistry of seaweeds at University of Essex, United Kingdom. This was followed by a short one-year research scientist position (80% FT) at GEOMAR before I joined PML.
I am an Associate Editor of 4 international journals including high ranking journals like Journal of Ecology. Additionally, I am leading the guest editing of two special topics for Frontiers in Marine Science. I am a reviewer for 19 peer-reviewed journals and sit on the grant review board of the British Ecological Society (BES), German Research Foundation (DFG), Flanders (Belgium) Research Foundation, and British Phycological Society (BPS). I have been the main convenor of sessions in 4 international conferences and jointly organized the BPS 2020 meeting. I am also an active science communicator across a variety of media and have extensive experience in successful communication of scientific ideas and results to the public. https://kids.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/frym.2019.00067
I am committed to the development of the next generation of scientists, as supervisor and mentor to students and have supervised/co-supervised > 35 students to date. If you are interested to do an internship/undergraduate/Master/MRes/PhD project, feel free to contact me.
My research interests include:
- Marine infochemicals
- Fouling and anti-fouling of seaweeds and seagrasses
- Dynamics in chemically mediated interactions under fluctuations of biotic and abiotic factors
- Chemical ecology of invasive seaweeds
- Volatilomics and volatile infochemistry
- Seaweed pathogen interactions
- Macrophytes under climate change
Key Projects
As PI:
- Chemical ecology of host-pathogen interaction
- Anti-fouling defence dynamics of a foundation seaweed from high and low latitude populations (AFODS)
- Do volatile info-chemicals from seaweed holobionts mediate seaweed-epibacteria interactions?
- The smell of seaweeds and their “second skin’
- Characterizing and investigating the morphogen role of volatile metabolome of Ulva mutabilis epibacteria
- Adaptation and co-evolution of fouling resistance: the driver of algal invasion success?
- Anti-settlement defence of Fucus vesiculosus: Chemistry and Ecology
As Co-PI:
- Unravelling the genetic and ecological mechanisms of successful bio-invasion
- Perception of beach wrack by beach users
- Seasonality in antifouling defence of the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus
Selected Publications
- Malik SAA, Saha M, Taupin L, Bedoux G, Bourgougnon N, Robledo D. 2022. Identification of the quorum sensing signal of the opportunistic pathogen inducing bleaching disease in the red macroalga Halymenia floresii holobiont. Applied Phycology 3(1), 109-119. doi:10.1080/26388081.2022.2086483
- Medina M, Baker DM, Baltrus DA, Bennett GM, Cardini U, Correa AMS, Degnan SM, Christa G, Kim E, Li J, Nash DR, Marzinelli E, Nishiguchi M, Prada C, Roth MS, Saha M, Smith CI, Theis KR, Zaneveld J. 2022. Grand challenges in coevolution. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2021.618251
- Roggatz CC, Hardege JD, Saha M. 2022. Modelling antifouling compounds of macroalgal holobionts in current and future pH conditions. Journal of Chemical Ecology. doi: 10.1007/s10886-021-01340-4
- Roggatz CC, Saha M, Blanchard S, Schirrmacher P, Fink P, Verheggen F, Hardege JD. 2022. Becoming nose-blind—Climate change impacts on chemical communication. Global Change Biology 28(15), 4495-4505. doi:10.1111/gcb.16209
- Saha M, Fink P. 2022. Algal volatiles – the overlooked chemical language of aquatic primary producers. Biological Reviews. doi:10.1111/brv.12887
- Xiang J-X, Saha M, Zhong K-L, Zhang Q-S, Zhang D, Jueterbock A, Krueger-Hadfield SA, Wang G-G, Weinberger F, Hu Z-M. 2022. Genome-scale signatures of adaptive gene expression changes in an invasive seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla. Molecular Ecology doi:10.1111/mec.16776
- Yang Q, Zhuang Y, Saha M, Qiu Q, Chen D, Chang L, Xiao L, Wang G. 2022. An opportunistic pathogenic Pseudomonas isolated from healthy brown alga Saccharina japonica. Aquaculture 563(2) 738975. doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738975
- Zupo V, Mazzella V, Fink P, Saha M, Carotenuto Y, Mutalipassi M. 2022. Copepods vs. salmons: environmental treats for crustaceans or possible eco-sustainable solutions? Crustaceans: Endocrinology, Biology and Aquaculture.
- Ahmad R, Chen Y, Zhuang Y, Qiu Q, Chen D, Saha M, Wu H, Wang, G. 2021 Isolation and identification of a pathogenic bacterium, Exiguobacterium oxidoltolerans XP-2 from the abnormal diseased mature sporophytes of a commercially cultivated brown seaweed Saccharina japonica. Journal of Applied Phycology. doi: 10.1007/s10811-021-02499-9
- Han Q, Zhang X, Chang L, Xiao L, Ahmad R, Saha M, Wu H & Wang G. 2021. Dynamic shift of the epibacterial communities on commercially cultivated Saccharina japonica from mature sporophytes to sporelings and juvenile sporophytes. Journal of Applied Phycology. doi: 10.1007/s10811-020-02329-4
- Li J, Weinberger F, Saha M, Majzoub M, Egan S. 2021. Cross-host protection of marine bacteria against macroalgal disease. Microbial Ecology. doi: 10.1007/s00248-021-01909-2
- Saha M, Gilon P, Verheggen F. 2021. Volatile-mediated interactions with surface-associated microbes: A parallelism between phyllosphere of plants and eco-chemosphere of seaweeds. Journal of Ecology. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.13693
- Saha M*, Berdalet E, Potin P, Da Gama BAP. 2021. Editorial: Chemically Mediated Interactions between Marine Macrophytes and Microbes. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.640494
- Zhang X, Chen Y, Saha M, Zhuang Y, Chang L, Xiao L, Wang G. 2021. Pseudoalteromonas piscicida X-8 causes bleaching disease in farmed Saccharina japonica. Aquaculture. doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737354
- Saha M*, Dove, S. & Weinberger, F. 2020. Chemically mediated microbial “gardening” capacity of a seaweed holobiont is dynamic. Microorganisms doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8121893
- Dittami SM, Arboleda E, Auguet J-Christophe, Bigalke A, Briand E, Cardenas P,Cardini U, Decelle J, Engelen A, Eveillard D, Gachon C, Griffiths S, Harder T, Kayal, E, Kazamia E, Lallier F, Medina M, Marzinelli E, Morganti Núñez Pons L, Prado S, Pintado V, Saha M, Selosse M-A, Skillings D, Stock W, Sunagawa S, Toulza E, Vorobev A, Leblanc C, and Not F. 2020. A community perspective on the concept of marine holobionts: current status, challenges and future directions. PeerJ. doi: 10.7717/peerj.10911
- Schmidt R & Saha M*. 2020. Infochemicals in terrestrial plants and seaweed holobionts: current and future trends. New Phytologist doi:10.1111/nph.16957
- Guan C, Saha M*, Weinberger F. 2020. Simulated heatwaves lead to upregulated chemical defence of a marine foundation macrophyte against microbial colonisers. Frontiers in Marine Science. doi:10.3389/fmars.2020.00463.
- Choo S, Borchert E, Wiese J, Saha M, Künzel S, Weinberger F, Hentschel U. 2020. Polaribacter nordstrandensis sp. nov., isolated from the biofilm of a stone from the North Sea. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. doi:10.1099/ijsem.0.004290
- Dittami SM, Arboleda E, Auguet J-Christophe, Bigalke A, Briand E, Cardenas P,Cardini U, Decelle J, Engelen A, Eveillard D, Gachon C, Griffiths S, Harder T, Kayal, E, Kazamia E, Lallier F, Medina M, Marzinelli E, Morganti Núñez Pons L, Prado S, Pintado V, Saha M, Selosse M-A, Skillings D, Stock W, Sunagawa S, Toulza E, Vorobev A, Leblanc C, and Not F. 2020. A community perspective on the concept of marine holobionts: current status, challenges and future directions. Peer Community in Ecology. doi:10.5281/zenodo.3696771
- Zhang X, Xu D, Huang S, Wang S, Han W, Liang C, Zhang Y, Fan X, Zhang X, Wang Y, Wang W, Egan S, Saha M, Li F, Hao N. 2020. Short-term and long-term effect of elevated pCO2 on cadmium metabolism of a globally important diatom. Journal of Hazardous Materials. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122749
- Saha M*, Ferguson RMW, Dove S#, Künzel S, Meichssner R#, Neulinger S, Petersen FO#, Weinberger F. 2020. Salinity and time can alter epibacterial communities of an invasive seaweed. Frontiers in Microbiology. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02870.
- Saha M, Berdalet E, Carotenuto Y, Fink P, Harder T, John U, Not F, Pohnert G, Potin P, Selander E, Vyverman W, Wichard T, Zupo V, and Steinke M*. 2019. Using chemical language to shape future marine health. Concepts and questions paper. Frontiers in Ecology and Environment doi:10.1002/fee.2113
- Saha M*, Barboza FR, Somerfield PJ, Al-Janabi B, Beck M#, Brakel J, Ito M, Pansch C, Schulze JN, Thor SJ, Weinberger F, Sawall Y. 2019. Response of foundation macrophytes to near-natural simulated marine heatwaves. Global Change Biology. doi:10.1111/gcb.14801
- Barboza FR, Kotta J, Weinberger F, Jormalainen V, Kraufvelin P, Molis M, Schubert H,…Saha M et al. 2019. Geographic variation in fitness ‐ related traits of the bladderwrack Fucus vesiculosus along the Baltic Sea ‐ North Sea salinity gradient. Ecology and Evolution 9:9225–9238.
- Saha M*, Weinberger F. 2019. Microbial “gardening’ by a seaweed holobiont: surface metabolites attract protective and deter pathogenic epibacterial settlement. Journal of Ecology. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.13193.
- Saha M*. 2019. “Language of life’ of Nemo, Dory and their marine friends. Frontiers for Young Minds, 7, 1-6. doi: 10.3389/frym.2019.00067.
- Guan C#, Saha M, Weinberger F*. 2019. Chemical defence of a seagrass against microfoulers and its seasonal dynamics. Applied Sciences 9: 1258.
- Steinke M*, Randall L#, Dumbrell A, Saha M. 2018. Volatile biomarkers for aquatic ecological research. Advances in Ecological Research 59: 75-92.
- Pansch C*, Scotti M, Barboza F, Al-Janabi B, Brakel J, Briski E, Bucholz B, Franz M, Ito M, Paiva F, Saha M, Sawall Y, Weinberger F, Wahl M. 2018. Heat waves and their significance for Baltic Sea benthic communities – a large scale experimental approach. Global Change Biology: 1-18.
- Wiese J*, Saha M, Storjohann AW, Weinberger F, Schmaljohann R, Imhoff JF. 2018. Vicingus serpentipes gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the Flavobacteriales from the North Sea. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 68: 333-340.
- Saha M*, Goecke F, Bhadury P. 2017. Algal natural compounds and extracts as antifoulants. Journal of Applied Phycology 30(3): 1859–1874.
- Guan C#, Parrot D, Wiese J, Sönnichsen F, Saha M, Tasdemir D, Weinberger F*. 2017.The role of rosmarinic acid and sulfated flavonoids in the chemical defense of Zostera marina against microfouling. Biofouling 33(10):867-880 (1)
- Brodie J, Ball S, Bouget FY, Chan CX, De Clerck O, Cock M, Gachon C, Grossman A, Mock T, Raven J, Saha M, Smith A, Vardi A, Yoon HS, Bhattacharya D*. 2017. Biotic interactions as drivers of algal origin and evolution. Tansley review, New Phytologist 216(3): 670-681 (2)
- Saha M*, Wiese J, Weinberger F, Wahl M. 2016. Rapid adaptation to controlling new microbial epibionts in the invaded range promotes invasiveness of an exotic seaweed in the invaded range. Journal of Ecology 104: 969-978 (11)
- Saha M*, Rempt M, Stratil SB, Wahl M, Pohnert G, Weinberger F. 2014. Defence chemistry modulation by light and temperature shifts and the resulting effects on associated epibacteria of Fucus vesiculosus. PloS One: e105333 (15)
- Wahl M*, Sofyani A, Saha M, Kruse I, Lenz M, Sawall Y. 2014. Large scale patterns of antimicrofouling defenses in the hard coral Pocillopora verrucosa in an environmental gradient along the Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea. PloS One: e106573 (1)
- Saha M* and Wahl M. 2013. Seasonal variation in antifouling defence of the temperate brown alga Fucus vesiculosus. Biofouling 29(6): 661-668 (20)
- Saha M*, Rempt M, Gebser B, Grüneberg J, Pohnert G, Weinberger F. 2012. Dimethylsuphoniopropionate (DMSP) and proline from the surface of the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus inhibit bacterial attachment. Biofouling 28 (6): 593- 604 (34)
- Saha M*, Rempt M, Grosser K, Pohnert G, Weinberger F. 2011. Surface-associated fucoxanthin mediates settlement of bacterial epiphytes on the rockweed Fucus vesiculosus. Biofouling 27 (4): 423-33 (43)
- Wahl M, Shahnaz L, Dobretsov S, Saha M, Symanowski F, David K, Lachnit T, Vasel M, Weinberger F. 2010. Ecology of antifouling resistance in the bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus: patterns of microfouling and antimicrobial protection. Marine Ecology Progress Series 411: 33-48 (51)
*Corresponding author #Graduate student