RCN: TerraGenome--The Soil Metagenome Network

RCN：TerraGenome——土壤元基因组网络

• 批准号: 1051481
• 负责人: David Myrold
• 金额: $ 49.72万
• 依托单位: Oregon State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-09-01 至 2018-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1051481&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RCN; TerraGenome; Soil; Metagenome; Network

Soils harbor a vast assemblage of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, and fungi) and are probably the greatest reservoir of genetic potential on the planet: There are probably more than 10,000 species of bacteria present in a single teaspoon of soil. Most of these microbial species have never been isolated and cultured, so we know little about their capabilities. Recent advances in gene sequencing technology and associated bioinformatics tools now make it possible to conduct metagenomic studies of soil ecosystems, that is, to sequence all the genes of all the microorganisms present in a soil sample. Previously, such metagenomic studies have been successful only in simpler microbial ecosystems (e.g., acid mine drainage, open ocean waters, the human gut). Even with these advances, sequencing and analyzing soil metagenomes is a daunting undertaking that will require the efforts of multiple research groups and individuals with expertise in all domains of microbial life. The purpose of the TerraGenome is to provide a network that promotes and coordinates efforts of the scientific community to sequence and analyze metagenomes of soils from around the world as was recommended by the U.S. National Research Council's (NRC's) report on the "New Science of Metagenomics". The TerraGenome RCN will accomplish its purpose by holding periodic meetings to plan strategies and share information, coordinating sequencing and bioinformatics activities, hosting workshops to train students and scientists in metagenomic analysis, and generally enhancing communication and information sharing through a website and list-server.The most fundamental impact of TerraGenome will be to build and support a diverse community of researchers in the U.S. and around the world who have an interest in uncovering the taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microorganisms. Bringing together this community, with scientists representing several disciplines, will help to train students and postdoctoral associates to tackle an inherently interdisciplinary question. This is most clearly demonstrated from the workshops that the network will sponsor. The TerraGenome website will broadly disseminate the products of the Network's activities, with a special effort to provide web-based tools for use by K-12 educators and students. Through its activities TerraGenome will help to provide the genetic foundation to better understand the diversity of microbial processes upon which the health and functioning of the planet is based. For example, the processes involved in cycling carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and other elements are key determinants of ecosystem productivity. Practically, this translates into producing food and fiber for humanity. Furthermore, the huge diversity of soil organisms represent a relatively untapped reservoir of potentially useful microbial enzymes and products, such as enzymes for cellulosic energy production, and antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals.

土壤中含有大量的微生物（细菌，古细菌和真菌），可能是地球上最大的遗传潜力库：一茶匙土壤中可能存在超过10，000种细菌。这些微生物物种中的大多数从未被分离和培养过，所以我们对它们的能力知之甚少。基因测序技术和相关的生物信息学工具的最新进展现在使得对土壤生态系统进行宏基因组研究成为可能，即对土壤样品中存在的所有微生物的所有基因进行测序。以前，这样的宏基因组研究仅在较简单的微生物生态系统（例如，酸性矿井排水、开放的海洋沃茨、人类肠道）。即使有了这些进步，测序和分析土壤宏基因组仍然是一项艰巨的任务，需要多个研究小组和具有微生物生命各个领域专业知识的个人的努力。TerraGenome的目的是提供一个网络，促进和协调科学界的努力，按照美国国家研究理事会关于“宏基因组学新科学”的报告的建议，对世界各地土壤的宏基因组进行测序和分析。TerraGenome RCN将通过定期举行会议来规划战略和分享信息，协调测序和生物信息学活动，举办讲习班来培训学生和科学家进行宏基因组分析，并通过网站和名单普遍加强沟通和信息共享-TerraGenome最根本的影响将是在美国和世界各地建立和支持一个多元化的研究人员社区，他们有兴趣发现土壤微生物分类和功能多样性。将这个社区与代表多个学科的科学家聚集在一起，将有助于培养学生和博士后研究人员解决一个固有的跨学科问题。网络将主办的讲习班最清楚地表明了这一点。TerraGenome网站将广泛传播该网络活动的产品，并特别努力提供网络工具，供K-12教育工作者和学生使用。通过其活动，TerraGenome将有助于提供遗传基础，以更好地了解地球健康和运作所依赖的微生物过程的多样性。例如，碳、氮、硫和其他元素的循环过程是生态系统生产力的关键决定因素。实际上，这转化为人类生产食物和纤维。此外，土壤生物的巨大多样性代表了潜在有用的微生物酶和产品的相对未开发的水库，例如用于纤维素能源生产的酶，以及抗生素和其他药物。