My research interests are marine macrophytes (seaweeds and seagrasses) and their interaction with microorganisms, mainly pathogens. I have conducted research in seagrass pathology where I investigated influence of environmental factors on host – pathogen interaction. Currently, my work focusses on diverse species of red algae - some of these with relevance in seaweed aquaculture – and their associated pathogens.
I am further interested in the process of seaweed domestication. I coordinate a global sampling campaign to assess the genetic resources of the seaweed commodity Kappaphycus and Eucheuma (red algae) to support a sustainable tropical seaweed aquaculture. This work is realised in close coordination with colleagues from Malaysia, the Philippines and the Republic of Tanzania.
Current research project
GlobalSeaweedSTAR. PDRA on the project. Funded by UKRI GCRF. Oct 2018 - Dec 2021
Peer-reviewed publications
Tan J, Tan PL, Poong SW, Brakel J, Gachon C, Brodie J, Sade A, Kassim A, Lim PE (2022) Genetic differentiation in wild Kappaphycus Doty and Eucheuma J. Agardh (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta) from East Malaysia reveals high inter- and intraspecific diversity with strong biogeographic signal. J Appl Phycol (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-022-02809-9
Badis, Y., Klochkova, T.A., Brakel, J., Arce, P., Ostrowski, M., Tringe, S.G., Kim, G.H. and Gachon, C.M., (2019). Hidden diversity in the oomycete genus Olpidiopsis is a potential hazard to red algal cultivation and conservation worldwide. European Journal of Phycology, pp.1-10
Saha M., Barboza F.R., Somerfield P.J., Al‐Janabi B., Beck M., Brakel J., Ito M., Pansch C., Nascimento‐Schulze J.C., Thor S.J., Weinberger F. (2019) Response of foundation macrophytes to near‐natural simulated marine heatwaves. Global change biology.
Brakel, J., Jakobsson-Thor, S., Bockelmann, A. C., & Reusch, T. B. (2019). Modulation of the Eelgrass–Labyrinthula zosterae Interaction Under Predicted Ocean Warming, Salinity Change and Light Limitation. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6.
Pansch, C., Scotti, M., Barboza, F. R., Al‐Janabi, B., Brakel, J., Briski, E., Björn Bucholz Franz, M., Ito, M., Paiva, F. and Saha, M. (2018). Heat waves and their significance for a temperate benthic community: A near‐natural experimental approach. Global change biology.
Jakobsson-Thor, S., Toth, G. B., Brakel, J., Bockelmann, A. C., & Pavia, H. (2018). Seagrass wasting disease varies with salinity and depth in natural Zostera marina populations. MEPS, 587, 105-115.
Brakel, J. Reusch, T.B.H. Bockelmann, A.C. (2017) Moderate virulence caused by the protist Labyrinthula zosterae in ecosystem foundation species Zostera marina under nutrient limitation. MEPS 571:97–108.
Olsen, J. L., P. Rouzé, B. Verhelst, Y.-C. Lin, T. Bayer, J. Collen, E. Dattolo, E. De Paoli, S. Dittami, F. Maumus, G. Michel, A. Kersting, C. Lauritano, R. Lohaus, M. Töpel, T. Tonon, K. Vanneste, M. Amirebrahimi, J. Brakel, C. Boström, M. Chovatia, J. Grimwood, J. W. Jenkins, A. Jueterbock, A. Mraz, W. T. Stam, H. Tice, E. Bornberg-Bauer, P. J. Green, G. A. Pearson, G. Procaccini, C. M. Duarte, J. Schmutz, T. B. H. Reusch and Y. Van de Peer (2016) The genome of the seagrass Zostera marina reveals angiosperm adaptation to the sea. Nature 530 (7590): 331-335.
Brakel, J., Werner, F. J., Tams, V., Reusch, T. B., & Bockelmann, A. C. (2014). Current European Labyrinthula zosterae are not virulent and modulate seagrass (Zostera marina) defense gene expression. PloS one, 9(4), e92448.
Employment history
Since 2018 PostDoctoral Research Associate in Tropical Algal Pathology. SAMS, Oban, Scotland
2017-17 Research Assistant. GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany
2014-17 PhD student fellowship. GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany
2013-14: Research Assistant. GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany
Qualifications
2017 PhD Christian Albrechts Universität Kiel and GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Germany
2013 Master of Science 'Ecology'. Universität Bremen, Germany
2010 Bachelor of Science 'Biology'. Christian Albrechts Universität Kiel, Germany