Cellular and Molecular Characterization of Chemoautotrophic Symbionts from Marine Invertebrates

本项目旨在研究化学自养细菌与其海洋无脊椎动物宿主之间的共生关系。将设计实验来研究细菌共生体的代谢能力和遗传组成，并确定共生体与已知自养细菌的进化关系。还将尝试确定在无脊椎动物Solemya velum中发现的类似细菌的有机体是否能够独立存在。这项研究应该有助于我们理解动物在富含硫化物的栖息地自养生活的机制。

This project is designed to investigate the symbiotic relationship between chemoautotrophic bacteria and their marine invertebrate hosts. Experiments will be designed to study the metabolic capabilities and genetic make up of the bacteria symbionts and to determine the evolutionary relationships of the symbionts to known autotrophic bacteria. Attempts will also be made to determine whether the bacteria-like organisms found within the invertebrate, Solemya velum, are capable of autonomous existence. This study should contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms where by animals live autotrophically in sulfide- rich habitats.