DISSERTATION RESEARCH: A phylogenetic characterization of the lichen microbiome

论文研究：地衣微生物组的系统发育特征

• 批准号: 1011504
• 负责人: Francois Lutzoni
• 金额: $ 0.95万
• 依托单位: Duke 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: 2010-05-01 至 2012-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1011504&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; phylogenetic; characterization; lichen

Lichens are biological associations comprised of a fungus (mycobiont) and an alga and/or cyanobacterium (photobiont). Certain lichens have been shown to host diverse communities of bacteria that are not photobionts, though these communities are very poorly known. Many lichens are able to grow to large sizes in very nutrient-poor habitats such as rock outcrops. This observation supports the notion that members of the lichen-associated bacterial community may provide the lichen with crucial nutrients (e.g., fixed nitrogen) that otherwise would be unavailable. The main objectives of this study are to conduct the first large-scale survey of bacteria associated with lichens and to determine what role nitrogen requirements play in determining the composition of these bacterial communities.The data generated as part of this study will reveal additional new lineages of microorganisms and contribute to the general understanding of bacterial diversity. The examination of these microbial communities may also shed light on the evolution of interactions among bacteria and the organisms that comprise lichens. In conjunction with this project, the funded graduate student will lead local 'lichen walks' to educate the public. Additionally, websites will be generated and maintained in order to make research findings accessible to all.

地衣是由真菌（Mycobiont）和藻类和/或蓝细菌（Photobiont）组成的生物学关联。某些地衣已被证明可以容纳多个细菌的多元化群落，尽管这些社区众所周知。许多地衣能够在较大的营养贫困栖息地（例如岩石露头）中生长到大尺寸。该观察结果支持这样的观念：地衣相关的细菌群落的成员可能会为地衣提供至关重要的养分（例如固定氮），否则这些氮将是不可用的。这项研究的主要目标是对与地衣相关的细菌进行首次大规模调查，并确定氮需求在确定这些细菌群落组成方面的作用。本研究的一部分产生的数据将揭示微生物的其他新谱系，并为细菌多样性的一般理解做出贡献。对这些微生物群落的检查也可能阐明细菌与包含地衣的生物之间相互作用的演变。与该项目一起，资助的研究生将带领当地的“地衣步行”来教育公众。此外，将生成和维护网站，以使所有人都可以访问研究结果。