Microbial Observatories: Collaborative Research: Characterization of Novel Anaerobic Microorganisms from a Sulfide Spring

微生物观测站：合作研究：硫化物泉中新型厌氧微生物的表征

• 批准号: 0240653
• 负责人: Stefan Sievert
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-05-01 至 2007-10-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0240653&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Microbial; Observatories; Collaborative; Research; Characterization

Grants have been awarded to Drs. Lee Krumholz, Cecelia Brown, Thomas Dewers, Mostafa Elshahed and Bruce Roe at the University of Oklahoma and Drs. Stefan Sievert and Kai-Uwe Hinrichs at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (Massachusetts) to establish a Microbial Observatory for the characterization of novel anaerobic microorganisms from Zodletone spring, an oxygen-depleted sulfide spring in Southwestern Oklahoma. This spring is a unique environment that provides a habitat for a range of unusual and interesting microorganisms, most of which have not yet been cultured. The overall goal of the proposed study is to determine the different kinds of microorganisms that inhabit the spring, study how these different microorganisms interact together and obtain cultured cells for more detailed studies. These scientists will focus on understanding the physiological function and ecological roles that these microorganisms fulfill in their natural environment. To achieve these goals, they will first identify members of the spring microbial community via sequencing of specific genes that are typically used to determine evolutionary relationships among microorganisms, or to indicate a specific metabolic function. Secondly, they will focus on novel groups of microorganisms encountered at the site. Large fragments of the genome of these microorganisms will be sequenced and genes identified to determine the nutritional and ecological characteristics of microorganisms from the spring. The architecture of the microbial community will be studied using a combination of molecular methods and microscopy to provide a three dimensional picture of microbial populations. Based on the data obtained from gene sequences, they will attempt to cultivate many of these so far uncultured microorganisms and perform an in-depth analysis of the metabolic capabilities of individuals under controlled growth conditions. Throughout the project, scientists at the University of Oklahoma will engage in educational activities with the public schools in the rural area surrounding the sulfur spring (Kiowa and Caddo Counties) and in Norman, OK. They will provide hands-on activities to develop and promote scientific reasoning and critical thinking skills in high school and middle school students. The project will provide a clear picture of the diversity of life in a very interesting environment. Zodletone spring lies on the land surface, yet because of the chemistry of the water, it is devoid of atmospheric oxygen. This situation is extremely rare in current times yet was common in ancient (Archean) geological ages. Therefore, much of the data produced could be extrapolated to understand microbial life in these ancient times and the impact of microorganisms in shaping the earth's geological history.

赠款已授予博士。俄克拉荷马大学的 Lee Krumholz、Cecelia Brown、Thomas Dewers、Mostafa Elshahed 和 Bruce Roe 以及博士。伍兹霍尔海洋研究所（马萨诸塞州）的 Stefan Sievert 和 Kai-Uwe Hinrichs 建立了一个微生物观测站，用于表征来自俄克拉荷马州西南部贫氧硫化物佐德莱托泉的新型厌氧微生物。这个春天的环境独特，为一系列不寻常且有趣的微生物提供了栖息地，其中大部分尚未被培养。 拟议研究的总体目标是确定栖息在泉水中的不同种类的微生物，研究这些不同的微生物如何相互作用，并获得培养细胞以进行更详细的研究。 这些科学家将专注于了解这些微生物在自然环境中发挥的生理功能和生态作用。 为了实现这些目标，他们将首先通过对特定基因进行测序来识别春季微生物群落的成员，这些基因通常用于确定微生物之间的进化关系，或指示特定的代谢功能。 其次，他们将重点关注现场遇到的新微生物群。 这些微生物基因组的大片段将被测序并鉴定基因，以确定泉水微生物的营养和生态特征。 将结合分子方法和显微镜来研究微生物群落的结构，以提供微生物种群的三维图像。 根据基因序列获得的数据，他们将尝试培养许多迄今为止未培养的微生物，并对受控生长条件下个体的代谢能力进行深入分析。 在整个项目中，俄克拉荷马大学的科学家将与硫磺泉周围农村地区（基奥瓦县和卡多县）以及俄克拉荷马州诺曼市的公立学校一起参与教育活动。 他们将提供实践活动来培养和促进高中生和初中生的科学推理和批判性思维技能。 该项目将在一个非常有趣的环境中清晰地展示生活的多样性。佐德托内泉位于陆地表面，但由于水的化学性质，它缺乏大气中的氧气。 这种情况在当今时代极为罕见，但在古代（太古代）地质时代却很常见。因此，产生的大部分数据可以推断出来，以了解古代微生物的生命以及微生物对塑造地球地质历史的影响。