Collaborative Research: RUI: Molecular Sentinels: Secondary Metabolites as Indicators of Environmental Change in an Antarctic Polar Desert

合作研究：RUI：分子哨兵：次生代谢物作为南极极地沙漠环境变化的指标

基本信息

批准号：
2148730
负责人：
Jill Mikucki
金额：
$ 21.05万
依托单位：
University of Tennessee Knoxville
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Standard Grant
财政年份：
2022
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2022-09-15 至 2025-08-31
项目状态：
未结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2148730&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
Collaborative Research RUI Molecular Sentinels

项目摘要

Antarctica habitats are unlike any others found on the planet with extreme combined variations in cold, salinity, moisture content and light availability. Soils and sediments from the Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valley’s region harbor unique microorganisms that can cope with the unique combination of extreme conditions, but specifically how extremophile microbes function or respond to change in these extreme habitats is still largely unknown. This team is utilizing previously collected Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) samples to evaluate differences in microbial extremophile function in response to changes in strong salinity gradients caused by warming temperatures. Comparative analyses of gene expression patterns and secondary metabolite production are being undertaken in lab-based microcosm studies with varying salinities. This work is helping to elucidate the genetic underpinnings for life in Antarctica and show how Antarctic biota evolve and adapt to a changing environment. Specifically, the work is showing how environmentally relevant changes in salinity will induce differential expression of secondary metabolites in isolates previously collected from the hypersaline Don Juan Pond in the western end of Wright Valley, Victoria Land in the Dry Valleys region. Transcriptomes of cell cultures under varying salinities are being sequenced and compared to determine significant changes to cellular metabolism, particularly secondary metabolic pathways. Additional previously collected sample types (soils, glacier ice, sediments, and brines) collected from a range of salinities are being used to refine methodologies for future field work and provide training opportunities for students. This program includes a variety of other broader impacts. This project is led by two female PIs, one of whom is a faculty of color, which will broaden the participation of Black women and girls in Antarctic Science. Women and people of color are still underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, especially in the Geosciences. The program is also designed to provide strong opportunities to integrate STEM research with undergraduate education, especially at Smith College, a predominantly undergraduate women’s institution. At least one graduate student and 4 undergraduates will be involved in the project, and some will participate in presenting results at international meetings. The program is also developing related curriculum in partnership with education specialists to be used with middle school students.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

南极洲栖息地与地球上发现的任何其他栖息地不同，南极麦克默多干谷地区的土壤和沉积物具有极端的综合变化，可以应对极端条件的独特组合。具体来说，极端微生物如何在这些极端栖息地发挥作用或对变化做出反应，目前仍然很大程度上未知。该团队之前正在利用收集的南极麦克默多干谷（MDV）。不同盐度的实验室微观研究正在对基因表达模式和次生代谢物产生进行比较分析，以评估微生物极端微生物功能的差异。南极洲生命的遗传基础，并展示南极生物群如何进化和适应不断变化的环境。具体来说，这项工作展示了与环境相关的盐度变化将如何引起差异。先前从干谷地区维多利亚地赖特谷西端的高盐唐胡安池塘收集的分离物中次生代谢物的表达正在对不同盐度下的细胞培养物的转录组进行测序和比较，以确定细胞代谢的显着变化，特别是次级代谢途径。以前从一系列盐度中收集的其他样本类型（土壤、冰川冰、沉积物和盐水）正在用于完善未来实地工作的方法，并为学生提供培训机会。该项目包括各种其他更广泛的影响。该项目由两名女性 PI 领导，其中一名是有色人种教师，这将扩大黑人妇女和女孩对南极科学的参与。妇女和有色人种的代表性仍然不足。该项目还旨在提供将 STEM 研究与本科教育相结合的强大机会，特别是在史密斯学院，这是一所以本科女性为主的机构，至少有一名研究生。学生和4本科生将参与该项目，其中一些将参加在国际会议上展示成果。该项目还与教育专家合作开发供中学生使用的相关课程。该奖项是 NSF 的法定使命，并被认为是值得的。通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来提供支持。