Collaborative Research: EDGE CMT: Discovery and functional characterization of genes that govern ciliate-algal symbiosis

线虫，最著名的是珊瑚，是海洋生态系统的基石，由它们共生的甲藻提供动力。然而，这些共生关系特别容易受到环境扰动的影响，如高温，这可能会导致藻类的损失，即所谓的漂白。阻止珊瑚和其他物种白化的战略可以为保护工作提供信息，以克服全球珊瑚礁面临的危机。这个项目将利用一个单细胞模型，该模型涉及一种纤毛虫，这种纤毛虫与甲藻形成内共生关系，以确定管理这些共生关系的分子和细胞机制。在这个项目中获得的关于共生的分子基础的知识将提供对共生如何在压力下分解的更深层次的理解，并可能允许制定减轻珊瑚漂白的战略。此外，该项目将直接促进关岛大学和加州大学河滨分校不同背景的青年科学家的培训和职业发展，这两所大学都是为少数群体服务的机构。共生科内共生藻类为珊瑚、海葵和水母等线虫提供动力，这些生物是海洋生态系统的基石，但越来越受到环境扰动和压力的威胁。尽管蛇床科-共生科的共生具有重要的性质，但这种共生相互作用的潜在机制仍然很大程度上是未知的。共生科共生中的大多数基因由于对其功能的了解极其有限，无法被假说驱动的研究所获得。为了克服这些限制，该项目将利用单细胞纤毛虫模型，通过采用系统的高通量筛选和蛋白质标记方法来识别基因-表型关系。该项目有望阐明涉及共生科的内生共生的新机制，并对共生所需的基因功能提供前所未有的见解。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Cnidarians, most notably corals, are cornerstones of marine ecosystems and are powered by their symbiotic dinoflagellate algae. However, these symbiotic relationships are particularly susceptible to environmental perturbations such as high temperature, that can result in the loss of the algae, known as bleaching. Strategies to stem bleaching of corals and other species can inform conservation efforts to overcome the crisis coral reefs face globally. This project will utilize a single-celled model involving a ciliate that forms endosymbiotic relationships with dinoflagellate algae to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing these symbiotic relationships. The knowledge gained about the molecular basis of the symbiosis in this project will provide a deeper understanding of how symbiosis breaks down under stress and may allow for the development of strategies to mitigate coral bleaching. Additionally, this project will directly lead to the training and career development for young scientists with diverse backgrounds from the University of Guam and the University of California, Riverside, both of which are Minority-Serving Institutions. Endosymbiotic algae in the family Symbiodiniaceae power cnidarians, like corals, sea anemones, and jellyfish, which are cornerstones of marine ecosystems but have been increasingly threatened by environmental perturbations and stress. Despite the critical nature of cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis, the underlying mechanisms that govern this symbiotic interaction remain largely unknown. Most of the genes in Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis are not accessible to hypothesis-driven research due to extremely limited knowledge about their function. To overcome these limitations, this project will utilize a single-celled ciliate model which enables identification of genotype-phenotype relationships by employing systematic high-throughput screening and protein tagging approaches. This project is expected to elucidate novel mechanisms of endosymbiosis involving Symbiodiniaceae and provide unprecedented insights to the gene functions required for symbiosis in general.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.