Development and Testing of Materials Methods for In-situ Incubations and Subsurface Microbial Observatories at North Pond

深海生物圈和海底水圈研究是综合大洋钻探计划的关键重点领域。 在这个项目中，研究人员将开发和测试新的仪器，用于在可能在北池钻探和软木塞的钻孔中培养微生物，北池位于大西洋中脊西侧，北纬22度45分，在一个悬而未决的IODP项目的主持下。 该项目还将扩展分析技术（荧光标记嵌入核心或FLEC），以便仔细研究微生物之间的空间关系（“生命位置”），用于深海环境中的各种微生物研究，包括将在该项目中开发的培养器。 FLEC与已建立的核糖体RNA检测方法（CARD和FISH）相结合，将提供有关微生物系统的更多信息，包括精细尺度的群落结构和微生物协会。 更广泛的影响包括培训研究生和本科生，推进IODP科学和发展ODP科学，主办讲习班，以及向教师群体进行教育宣传。

Deep biosphere and subseafloor hydrosphere studies are critical focus areas for the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). In this project, researchers will develop and test new instrumentation for the incubation of microbes in boreholes that may be drilled and CORKed at North Pond, on the western flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 22 degrees 45 minutes north, under the auspices of a pending IODP project. This project will also extend analysis techniques (Flourescently-Labeled Embedded Core or FLEC) that permit careful study of the spatial relationships ('life locations') among microbes for use in various microbial studies in the deep marine environment, including on the incubators to be developed in this project. FLEC, combined with established ribosomal RNA detection methods (CARD and FISH), will provide significantly more information about the microbial systems, including community structure and microbial associations at a fine scale. Broader impacts include training of graduate and undergraduate students, advancement of IODP science and building on ODP science, hosting of a workshop, and educational outreach to teacher groups.