Symbiotic Decomposition of Lignocellulose by Termites

本提案的重点是木质素纤维素和木质素以及相关植物材料（腐殖质）的生物降解/转化，白蚁凭借其肠道微生物群（细菌，原生动物）能够做到这一点。这些研究将包括那些可以培养的微生物的基本微生物特征，研究它们的生物化学和生理学，以及评估它们的分子生物学特征。这些研究的目的是阐明不仅在细菌和原生动物物种之间，而且与它们的白蚁宿主之间的基本的、功能性的相互作用。这些研究不仅在生物学领域具有重要意义，而且在了解全球碳循环和全球变暖方面也具有重要意义。//

This proposal is focused upon the biodegradation/conversion of the lignocellulose and lignin, and related plant materials (humus), by termites that are rendered able to do this by virtue of their gut microbiota (bacteria, protozoa). The studies will include basic microbiological characterization of those organisms that can be cultivated, study of their biochemistry and physiology, and assessment of their molecular biological traits. The aim of the studies is to elucidate fundamental, functional interactions not only between bacterial and protozoal species, but with their termite hosts as well. The studies will be significant not only in the biological realm, but in understanding aspects of the global carbon cycle and global warming, as well.//