NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology: Free-Living Amoebae Predation Mechanisms and Fostering Inclusive Communities in Environmental Microbiology through Peer-Mentoring

这一行动资助了NSF 2023财年生物学博士后研究奖学金，扩大了生物学中代表性不足的群体的参与。自由生活的阿米巴是一种单细胞微生物，以较小的微生物为食，包括细菌、真菌和病毒。自由生活的阿米巴是土壤和水生态系统中重要的捕食者，影响微生物群落，并有助于细菌逃避捕食策略的进化。然而，控制自由生活的阿米巴和细菌之间相互作用的机制却知之甚少。这项研究将调查自由生活的阿米巴如何与致病和良性细菌相互作用，以及这些相互作用如何塑造微生物群落。这项研究很重要，因为它将为微生物群落的工程和防止土壤和水环境中病原体的生长提供必要的见解。该研究员将通过成立博士后同行指导小组来扩大生物学中代表性不足的群体的参与，该小组将通过提供一个同行支持和专业发展的场所，鼓励留住科学界代表性不足的群体中的博士后研究人员。这项研究将调查无处不在的自由生活的卡氏阿米巴是如何与各种细菌相互作用的，以及由此对微生物群落的影响。具体的假说包括：1)对不同细菌有不同的捕食机制，2)对良性细菌优先捕食，而不是对病原菌捕食，3)趋化性不参与，4)对生物膜中细菌的捕食机制不同于对浮游细胞的捕食机制。假说将使用转录学、高级显微镜和带有活细胞显微镜的微流控芯片进行研究。这项研究将提供关于捕食者-猎物理论以及环境系统中阿米巴和细菌之间相互作用的重要知识。它还将为环境工程和公共卫生领域提供信息，这些领域需要对微真核生物有更深入的了解，以有效控制微生物群落和防止病原体扩散。这位研究员将通过赞助科学家接受转录组数据分析和活细胞显微镜方面的指导。该研究员还将努力通过在实验室指导本科生和研究生以及成立一个跨学科的博士后同行指导小组来扩大生物学领域未被充分代表的群体的参与，该小组将提供专业发展并增加归属感。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for FY 2023, Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology. Free-living amoebae are single-celled microorganisms that feed on smaller microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Free-living amoebae are important predators in soil and aquatic ecosystems, influencing microbial communities and contributing to the evolution of bacterial strategies to evade predation. However, the mechanisms that govern interactions between free-living amoebae and bacteria are poorly understood. This research will investigate how free-living amoebae interact with pathogenic and benign bacteria, and how these interactions shape microbial communities. The research is important because it will provide insights essential for engineering of microbial communities and prevention of pathogen growth in soil and aquatic environments. The fellow will broaden participation of groups underrepresented in biology through the formation of a postdoctoral peer mentoring group, which will encourage the retention of postdoctoral researchers from underrepresented groups in science by providing a venue for peer support and professional development.This research will investigate how the ubiquitous free-living amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii interacts with diverse bacteria, and the resulting impacts on microbial communities. Specific hypotheses include the following: 1) A. castellanii utilizes distinct predation mechanisms for different bacteria, 2) A. castellanii preferentially grazes on benign bacteria versus pathogenic bacteria, 3) chemotaxis is not involved in A. castellanii predation, and 4) predation mechanisms employed by A. castellanii for grazing on bacteria in biofilms are distinct from those used for grazing on planktonic cells. Hypotheses will be investigated using transcriptomics, advanced microscopy, and microfluidic chips with live-cell microscopy. The research will provide vital knowledge regarding predator-prey theory and the interactions between amoebae and bacteria in environmental systems. It also will inform the fields of environmental engineering and public health, which require a deeper understanding of microeukaryotes to effectively control microbial communities and prevent pathogen proliferation. The fellow will receive mentoring in analysis of transcriptomic data sets and live-cell microscopy through the sponsoring scientists. The fellow will also work to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in biology through mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students in the laboratory and the formation of an interdisciplinary postdoctoral peer mentoring group, which will provide professional development and increase a sense of belonging.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.