LExEn: Geochemical Constraints on the Ecology of the Deep Lineages Within the Bacteria and Archaea

过去十年的雷森巴赫/休克研究表明，生命可能已经渗透到每一个可能的利基，那里有一个可利用的能源。此外，生命是一种主要的地球化学力量，其影响范围显然比以前认识到的更广。高温热液喷口等极端环境提供了一个很好的例子，说明地球化学可以在多大程度上控制或影响微生物的分布和生理，以及生物可以在多大程度上改变其地球化学环境。提出了一个综合的跨学科的方法，使用分子生态学工具，地球化学测量和标准的微生物方法相结合，以确定这些生态系统中的社区和地球化学动态。具体来说，这项研究的目的是建立如何深入分支谱系的太古代和细菌在高温生态系统中改变他们的地球化学环境。野外工作将在黄石国家公园进行。对温度梯度进行沿着详细的地球化学和生物分析，将为解决有关群落成员的生长和生理的具体问题提供框架。这项研究的结果将提供一个急需的生态和地球化学数据的基线，并提供与这些高温生态系统相关的地球化学生物能量学的定量模型。随着关键生物地球化学参数的阐明，应该有可能预测决定太古代和细菌内最深谱系的分布、动力学和生长要求的因素。此外，这项研究将挑战我们对地球化学和微生物学过程的看法，生命起源的理论，并提供有关其他行星上可能存在的生命形式的预测。

Reysenbach/Shock Studies over the past decade have revealed that life may have penetrated every possible niche where there is an exploitable source of energy. Moreover, life is a major geochemical force which apparently has effects over a wider range of environments than previously appreciated. Extreme environments such as those at high temperature hydrothermal vents offer a good example to the extent to which geochemistry can control or influence the distribution and physiology of microorganisms, and the extent to which the organisms can transform their geochemical environment. An integrated interdisciplinary approach is proposed using a combination of molecular ecological tools, biogeochemical measurements and standard microbiological methods to determine the community and geochemical dynamics in these ecosystems. Specifically, the objective of the study is to establish how deeply branching lineage of the Archea and Bacteria in high temperature ecosystems transform their geochemical environments. Field work will be conducted in Yellowstone National Park. Detailed geochemical and biological analyses along the temperature gradients will provide the framework for addressing specific questions regarding the growth and physiology of the members of the communities. The results of this study will provide a much needed baseline of ecological and geochemical data, and offer quantitative models of the geochemical bioenergetics associated with these high temperature ecosystems. With the elucidation of the key biogeochemical parameters it should be possible to predict the factors that determine the distribution, dynamics, and growth requirements of the deepest lineages within the Archea and Bacteria. Furthermore, this study will challenge our perspective of biogeochemical and microbiological processes, theories on the origins of life and provide predictions about life forms that may exist on other planets.