CAREER: Control of Sexual Reproduction in Marine Diatoms: A Molecular and Genetic Approach

P.I.：Armbrust提案编号：97-02158机构：华盛顿大学标题：CALEAR：海洋硅藻有性繁殖的控制：分子和遗传方法这个学院早期职业发展(CAREAR)项目专注于硅藻单细胞藻类分子遗传学的发展。硅藻是自然界中发现的最丰富的水生真核微生物之一，广泛分布于海洋和淡水生境中。由于硅藻在海洋上升区和大陆架上的优势地位，它们在产生地球氧气和从大气中清除二氧化碳方面都发挥着关键作用。这项职业项目中描述的研究旨在从分子水平上剖析海洋硅藻如何感知和应对环境变化。环境胁迫经常导致从本质上“不朽”的营养生长过渡到终末分化的有性阶段。伴随这一转变的基因表达模式的变化将被识别出来。分子遗传学的方法和逻辑也将被纳入使用分子技术解决生态学问题的研究生课程和本科生的实地考察和研究课程。此外，还将为高中教师提供一门关于使用分子技术研究海洋生物的短期“动手”实验室课程。

P.I.: Armbrust Proposal Number: 97-02158 Institution: University of Washington Title: CAREER: Control of sexual reproduction in marine diatoms: a molecular and genetic approach This Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) project focuses on the development of molecular genetics in the unicellular algae known as diatoms. Diatoms are one of the most abundant groups of aquatic eukaryotic microorganisms found in nature, with a wide distribution in both marine and freshwater habitats. Due to their dominance in oceanic upwelling zones and in regions over the continental shelves, diatoms play a critical role both in generating the earth's oxygen and in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The research described in this CAREER project is designed to dissect, at a molecular level, how marine diatoms perceive and respond to environmental change. Environmental stress frequently induces a transition from essentially "immortal" vegetative growth to the terminally differentiated sexual stages. The change in patterns of gene expression that accompanies this transition will be identified. The methods and logic of molecular genetics will also be incorporated into a graduate course on the use of molecular techniques to address ecological questions and an undergraduate fieldwork and research course. Additionally, a short, "hands-on" laboratory course on the use of molecular techniques to study marine organisms will be provided for high school teachers.