Viral Influence on Freshwater Cyanobacteria and Toxin Dynamics

淡水环境中的蓝藻对各种已被充分研究的物理因素以及环境中的化学变化作出反应。在此之上的是噬藻体的影响，它持续存在于每毫升数千个蓝藻，并调节蓝藻的生产、增殖和多样性。随着产生毒素的物种在全球范围内大量繁殖，以及越来越多的证据表明，长期、低水平暴露于氰基毒素可能会致癌或致癌，因此对淡水蓝藻与感染它们的病毒之间的生态关系有一个基本的了解变得至关重要。该项目是一项协调的、跨学科的实验室和实地研究，旨在研究田纳西河及其一条支流研究地点的裂解淡水噬藻体的生态学和多样性。通过在伊利湖西部盆地的一次机会巡航，这项研究将提供对淡水中噬藻体-宿主关系的基本见解，并对实验室和自然系统中病毒在氰毒素释放中的作用提供新的见解。实验室部分将通过深入了解来自这些系统的裂解噬藻体的多样性来进一步开展这项工作。这一研究计划包含一个重要的教育部分，将在微生物生态学、湖沼学和分子生物学的跨学科方面培训研究生和本科生(包括那些来自代表性不足的群体的学生)。这项研究的最终科学成果将是增强我们对淡水系统中蓝藻增殖和噬藻体动态的理解的信息。它将提供关于病毒在毒素流入饮用水供应的溶解阶段中所起作用的关键洞察。它还将为那些对消耗品和娱乐活动的水管理感兴趣的人提供更广泛的信息。

0129118WilhelmCyanobacteria in freshwater environments respond to a variety of well-studied physical factors as well as changes in the chemistry of their environment. Overlying this is the influence of cyanophages, which persist in thousands per mL and regulate cyanobacterial production, proliferation and diversity. As blooms of toxin-producing species are increasing on a global scale, and evidence is emerging that suggests chronic, low-level exposures to cyanotoxins may be tumorogenic or carcinogenic, it has become critical to develop a basic understanding of the ecological relationship between freshwater cyanobacteria and the viruses that infect them. This project is a coordinated, interdisciplinary lab and field study designed to examine the ecology and diversity of lytic freshwater cyanophages at research sites in the Tennessee River and in one of its tributaries. Augmented by a cruise of opportunity in the western basin of Lake Erie, this study will provide a fundamental insight on the cyanophage-host relationship in freshwaters as well as provide new insight on the role of viruses in the release of cyanotoxins in both lab and natural systems. The laboratory component will further this work by providing insight on the diversity of the lytic cyanophages from these systems. This program of research contains a significant educational component that will train both graduate and undergraduate students (including those from underrepresented groups) in the interdisciplinary aspects of microbial ecology, limnology and molecular biology. The final scientific product of this study will be information that will enhance our understanding of cyanobacterial proliferation and cyanophage dynamics in freshwater systems. It will provide a critical insight on the role of viruses in the flux of toxins into thedissolved phase of potable water supplies. It will also serve to provide broader information for those interested in water management for both consumable and recreational activities.