Organo-mineralization in microbial mats under extreme conditions: linking field, laboratory and metagenomics studies

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The program here proposed will enable unprecedented, ground breaking and cross-disciplinary research on microbe-mineral interactions in microbial mats from the macroscopic to molecular levels. Microbial mats, the earth's earliest biological communities, contribute to the formation of minerals and the preservation of organic matter. Metabolic activity within these mats, and nucleation processes on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), induce and influence mineral formation ("organo-mineralization"). Previous observations of the interactions between microbes and minerals have not revealed the mechanisms of forming biogenic minerals in microbial mats. Understanding such interactions between the geo- and biosphere is crucial in environmental research. ***We will systematically study the effects of microbes, viruses, EPS and such environmental conditions as temperature, carbon dioxide, nutrient supply, and salinity, on organo-mineralization. Our goal is also to detect how nano-materials (NM) are transported through the microbial mats, and their interactions with both microbes and minerals. The three main objectives for this program of research include:***1. Identify the role of microbes, viruses and EPS in carbonate formation in microbial mats from extreme environments.***2. Clarify the possible mechanisms of carbonate formation by cyanobacteria and EPS.***3. Analyze the deposition and transport of nano-materials in microbial mats.****Combined field observations, laboratory experiments and metagenomic studies will give insight into geomicrobiological processes ranging from the molecular level to complex environmental systems. Minerals formed by microbes or their EPS contain information about their environment, opening a door to the early world. The resulting fundamental knowledge of microbe-mineral interactions is a prerequisite to reconstructing the history of microbial life on earth. The expected results will also foster the development of new technology for carbon sequestration and bio-remediation. The outcome of this program will be directly applied to help solve current problems and themes, such as how global warming and CO2 increase.****Researching the impact of emerging NM pollutants on the aquatic system will provide essential data for the risk assessment of NM, and an important scientific basis for their proper manufacturing and application. Studying the interaction of NMs and microbial mats will build understanding of the microbial role in biogeochemical processes. The results of this program will provide a solid link to a number of other fields, such as medicine, energy and electronics. Examples of potential applications include drug delivery, solar energy, electrical battery production and semi-conductor synthesis.**