CAA: Rhizosphere Influence on Hydrocarbon Metabolizing Microorganisms

根际对碳氢化合物代谢微生物的影响本职业发展奖的目标是使用基于培养和非培养的方法来表征受碳氢化合物影响的土壤中与植物根际相关的微生物种群。在受多核芳烃（PAH）影响的土壤上建立了一系列种植密歇根州本地物种的地块。这些样地的初步结果表明，不同的植物种类对烃的去除程度有不同的影响。本研究项目将通过实验来评估不同植物种类对根际微生物群落的不同影响。这将通过分析在不同时间间隔从不同地块收集的土壤样本来完成。微生物群落的特征将包括：1)测序一个能够识别存在微生物的基因（16S rRNA基因）；2)测序参与多环芳烃降解的基因（多环芳烃双加氧酶）；3)比较根际样品的碳利用谱。预计这些实验将揭示微生物因素使一些植物能够加速从污染土壤中去除多环芳烃，而另一些则阻碍其去除。更广泛的影响包括建立一个生态框架，以了解如何优化植物修复等应用技术。这个项目的某些方面也将被整合到一个学期的微生物生态学和植物生理学课程的合作实验室经验中。此外，这种支助将用于通过当地外联和其他正式的国家科学基金渠道（例如REU和RET补编）增加代表性不足人口的研究机会。

Gregory M. Colores Proposal #0542309Rhizosphere influence on hydrocarbon metabolizing microorganismsThe goal of this Career Advancement Award is to use cultivation and non-cultivation based methods to characterize the microbial populations associated with plant rhizospheres in hydrocarbon-impacted soils. A series of plots have been established in polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) impacted soils that have been planted with species native to Michigan. Preliminary results with these plots indicate that individual plant species have different effects on the extent of hydrocarbon removal. In this research project, experiments will be conducted to evaluate the different influences that unique plant species have on the microbial communities inhabiting the rhizospheres. This will be performed by analyzing soil samples collected from different plots at various time intervals. Microbial communities will be characterized by 1) sequencing a gene that will enable the identification of microorganisms present (16S rRNA genes) 2) sequencing genes involved in PAH-degradation (PAH dioxygenases), and 3) comparing carbon utilization profiles of rhizosphere samples. It is anticipated that these experiments will reveal microbiological factors that enable some plants to accelerate the removal of PAHs from contaminated soils, whereas others hinder their removal. The broader impacts include developing an ecological framework for understanding how an applied technology like phytoremediation can be optimized. Some aspects of this project will also be integrated into a semester long cooperative laboratory experience for a microbial ecology and plant physiology class taught during the same semester. Further, this support will be used to increase research opportunities for underrepresented populations through local outreach and through additional, formal NSF channels (e.g. REU and RET supplements).