Collaborative Research: RUI: Molecular Sentinels: Secondary Metabolites as Indicators of Environmental Change in an Antarctic Polar Desert

合作研究：RUI：分子哨兵：次生代谢物作为南极极地沙漠环境变化的指标

• 批准号: 2148731
• 负责人: Lesley-Ann Giddings
• 金额: $ 8.9万
• 依托单位: Smith College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2022-09-15 至 2025-08-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2148731&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; RUI; Molecular; Sentinels

Antarctica habitats are unlike any others found on the planet with extreme combined variations in cold, salinity, moisture content and light availability. Soils and sediments from the Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valley’s region harbor unique microorganisms that can cope with the unique combination of extreme conditions, but specifically how extremophile microbes function or respond to change in these extreme habitats is still largely unknown. This team is utilizing previously collected Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) samples to evaluate differences in microbial extremophile function in response to changes in strong salinity gradients caused by warming temperatures. Comparative analyses of gene expression patterns and secondary metabolite production are being undertaken in lab-based microcosm studies with varying salinities. This work is helping to elucidate the genetic underpinnings for life in Antarctica and show how Antarctic biota evolve and adapt to a changing environment. Specifically, the work is showing how environmentally relevant changes in salinity will induce differential expression of secondary metabolites in isolates previously collected from the hypersaline Don Juan Pond in the western end of Wright Valley, Victoria Land in the Dry Valleys region. Transcriptomes of cell cultures under varying salinities are being sequenced and compared to determine significant changes to cellular metabolism, particularly secondary metabolic pathways. Additional previously collected sample types (soils, glacier ice, sediments, and brines) collected from a range of salinities are being used to refine methodologies for future field work and provide training opportunities for students. This program includes a variety of other broader impacts. This project is led by two female PIs, one of whom is a faculty of color, which will broaden the participation of Black women and girls in Antarctic Science. Women and people of color are still underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, especially in the Geosciences. The program is also designed to provide strong opportunities to integrate STEM research with undergraduate education, especially at Smith College, a predominantly undergraduate women’s institution. At least one graduate student and 4 undergraduates will be involved in the project, and some will participate in presenting results at international meetings. The program is also developing related curriculum in partnership with education specialists to be used with middle school students.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

南极栖息地与地球上的任何其他人都不同，寒冷，盐分，水分含量和光的可用性极端变化。来自南极McMurdo Dry Valley地区的土壤和沉积物具有独特的微生物，可以应对极端条件的独特组合，但特别是极端微生物在这些极端栖息地中的作用或对变化的响应仍然很大程度上是未知的。该团队正在利用先前收集的南极McMurdo干谷（MDV）样品来评估微生物极细胞功能的差异，以应对温度变暖引起的强盐度梯度的变化。基因表达模式和二次代谢产生的比较分析正在基于实验室的缩影研究中进行不同的盐度研究。这项工作有助于阐明南极洲生命的遗传基础，并展示南极生物群的进化和适应不断变化的环境。具体而言，这项工作表明，盐度与环境相关的变化将如何在先前从赖特谷西端的高盐盐唐·胡安·池塘（Hypersaline don Juan Pond）收集的分离株中诱导二次代谢物的差异表达，这是干山谷地区维多利亚州的维多利亚州。在不同的盐度下的细胞培养物的转录组正在测序，并与确定细胞代谢的重大变化，尤其是次级代谢途径进行了比较。从一系列盐分中收集的其他先前收集的样本类型（土壤，冰川冰，沉积物和盐水）正在用于完善未来现场工作的方法，并为学生提供培训机会。该计划包括其他各种更广泛的影响。该项目由两位女性PI领导，其中一个是有色人种的教职员工，这将扩大黑人妇女和女孩参与南极科学。有色人种和有色人种在科学，技术，工程和数学（STEM）领域中的人数仍然不足，尤其是在地球科学中。该计划还旨在为将STEM研究与本科教育融为一体，尤其是在史密斯学院（Smith College），这是一家主要是本科妇女机构的史密斯学院（Smith College）。该项目将至少有一名研究生和4名本科生参与，其中一些将参加国际会议上的结果。该计划还与教育专家合作开发相关课程，以与中学生一起使用。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并通过使用基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的影响评估标准来评估，认为这是珍贵的支持。