DISSERTATION RESEARCH: A phylogenetic characterization of the lichen microbiome

地衣是由真菌（菌生体）和藻类和/或蓝细菌（光生体）组成的生物组合。某些地衣已被证明是各种细菌群落的宿主，而不是光合生物，尽管这些群落知之甚少。许多地衣能够在营养非常缺乏的栖息地（如岩石露头）中生长到很大的尺寸。这一观察结果支持了地衣相关细菌群落的成员可能为地衣提供关键营养素（例如，固定氮），否则将不可用。本研究的主要目的是进行第一次大规模的调查与地衣细菌，并确定氮的需求在确定这些细菌群落的组成发挥什么作用，作为本研究的一部分产生的数据将揭示额外的新的微生物谱系，并有助于细菌多样性的一般理解。对这些微生物群落的研究也可能揭示细菌和地衣生物之间相互作用的演变。在这个项目的同时，受资助的研究生将带领当地的“地衣散步”来教育公众。此外，还将建立和维护网站，使所有人都能查阅研究结果。

Lichens are biological associations comprised of a fungus (mycobiont) and an alga and/or cyanobacterium (photobiont). Certain lichens have been shown to host diverse communities of bacteria that are not photobionts, though these communities are very poorly known. Many lichens are able to grow to large sizes in very nutrient-poor habitats such as rock outcrops. This observation supports the notion that members of the lichen-associated bacterial community may provide the lichen with crucial nutrients (e.g., fixed nitrogen) that otherwise would be unavailable. The main objectives of this study are to conduct the first large-scale survey of bacteria associated with lichens and to determine what role nitrogen requirements play in determining the composition of these bacterial communities.The data generated as part of this study will reveal additional new lineages of microorganisms and contribute to the general understanding of bacterial diversity. The examination of these microbial communities may also shed light on the evolution of interactions among bacteria and the organisms that comprise lichens. In conjunction with this project, the funded graduate student will lead local 'lichen walks' to educate the public. Additionally, websites will be generated and maintained in order to make research findings accessible to all.