Ultralow temperature freezer for archiving microbial evolution experiments

这里要求的RTI资金将用于支持以地质为导向的微生物进化实验，旨在解决地球早期生命研究的一个明显矛盾。也就是说，既然已经知道微生物可以在实验室的时间尺度上进化，那么对地球早期生命的研究如何依赖古代微生物来进行与现代微生物完全一样的新陈代谢呢？具体地说，我们要求支持一种超低温冷冻机，其中将保留实验的培养档案。这个“化石”记录将在实验期间的任何时间用于复活，使我们能够直接与祖先的微生物种群竞争他们的后代。该RTI奖支持的设备将是一系列研究项目的一部分，范围从博士水平的实验到短期的本科生研究经验。特别是，它将成为麦吉尔稳定同位素实验室为NSERC合作研究和培训经验加拿大天体生物学培训计划下的博士后、研究生和本科生培训计划的核心内容。

The RTI funding requested here will go to support geologically directed microbial evolution experiments aimed at addressing an apparent contradiction that underlies studies of life on early Earth. That is, how can studies of life on early Earth rely on ancient microbes to metabolize exactly like modern microbes when it is known that microbes can evolve on laboratory timescales? Specifically, we are asking for support for an ultra-low temperature freezer in which a culture archive of the experiments will be maintained. This 'fossil' record will be available for reanimation at any time during the experiment, enabling us to directly compete ancestral microbial populations against their descendants. The equipment supported under this RTI award will be part of a host of research projects, ranging from PhD-level experiments to short-term undergraduate research experiences. In particular, it will become a centerpiece in the McGill Stable Isotope Laboratory's training program for post-doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate trainees under the NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience Canadian Astrobiology Training Program.