MSB: Collaborative Research: Biological stoichiometry of microbes under severe P-limitation

MSB：合作研究：严重 P 限制下微生物的生物化学计量

• 批准号: 0950179
• 负责人: James Elser
• 金额: $ 90.27万
• 依托单位: Arizona State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-01 至 2016-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0950179&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: MSB; Collaborative; Research; Biological; stoichiometry

All organisms require chemical elements such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) for growth and development. P is of particular interest because it is especially important in construction of genetic material such as DNA and RNA and is often present in limiting concentrations in the environment. This project will investigate the biological rules that determine the elemental recipe ("stoichiometry") of microorganisms that grow under severely P deficient conditions in a set of unique desert springs in Mexico.This study will use both laboratory and field experiments, combined with cutting-edge methods of molecular biology and genomics, to investigate how changes in P supply alter the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of these microorganisms and to reveal how they cope with shortages of this essential chemical element. Furthermore, the study will help us understand how human alterations in P supply, such as those driven by inefficient use of fertilizer or by inputs of P-rich sewage, affect microbial ecosystems. It will also help in discovery of new genes and genetic strategies by which organisms efficiently use P. These discoveries may be useful for agriculture and other settings in light of growing concern about the finite supply of economically recoverable P for fertilizer production. Finally, the project will produce bi-lingual science education products that will enhance science education in Arizona and nationally for both K/12 students and the general public.

所有生物体的生长和发育都需要碳（C）、氮（N）和磷（P）等化学元素。 P 之所以特别令人感兴趣，是因为它在 DNA 和 RNA 等遗传物质的构建中特别重要，并且在环境中的浓度通常有限。该项目将研究确定在墨西哥一组独特的沙漠泉水中严重缺磷条件下生长的微生物的元素配方（“化学计量”）的生物学规则。这项研究将使用实验室和现场实验，并结合切割-分子生物学和基因组学的边缘方法，研究磷供应的变化如何改变这些微生物的生态和进化动力学，并揭示它们如何应对这种必需化学元素的短缺。此外，这项研究将帮助我们了解人类对磷供应的改变，例如因肥料使用效率低下或富含磷污水的输入而引起的改变，如何影响微生物生态系统。它还将有助于发现生物体有效利用磷的新基因和遗传策略。鉴于人们越来越担心用于肥料生产的经济可回收磷供应有限，这些发现可能对农业和其他环境有用。最后，该项目将制作双语科学教育产品，以加强亚利桑那州乃至全国 K/12 学生和公众的科学教育。