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

过去十年的研究表明，生命可能已经渗透到每一个可能存在可开发能源的地方。此外，生命是一种主要的地球化学力量，它对环境的影响范围显然比以前所认识的要大。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。提出了一种综合的跨学科方法，结合分子生态学工具、生物地球化学测量和标准微生物学方法来确定这些生态系统中的群落和地球化学动态。具体而言，本研究的目的是确定高温生态系统中太古菌和细菌的分支谱系如何改变其地球化学环境。野外工作将在黄石国家公园进行。沿着温度梯度进行详细的地球化学和生物学分析，将为解决有关群落成员生长和生理的具体问题提供框架。该研究结果将提供一个急需的生态和地球化学数据基线，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宙和细菌中最深层谱系的分布、动态和生长需求的因素。此外，这项研究将挑战我们对生物地球化学和微生物过程的看法，生命起源理论，并为其他行星上可能存在的生命形式提供预测。

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.