Presidential Young Investigator Awards

戴明博士的微生物学研究将集中在流体静力压力升高和极端温度之间的积极相互作用。这项工作旨在了解生命在这个星球（也许在其他地方）的局限性，无论是在早期太古宙阶段还是在更现代的环境中。通过关注最简单的微生物和通常被认为具有生物抑制作用的环境参数，戴明博士发现了一些新型细菌，它们在以前被认为是缺乏生命（如果不是无菌的话）的环境中生存。从波多黎各海沟的hadal深度（8300米）到太平洋的过热热液喷口（350摄氏度），再到北极零度以下的泥浆。在获得总统青年研究员奖期间，戴明博士将研究海底环境中的细菌，以解决以下几个问题：*在最极端的温度和压力条件下，稳定的代谢过程的分子遗传学基础是什么？*来自极端海洋环境的细菌是否会产生具有独特物理/化学性质的细胞外酶，从而改变生物以外的环境？*底栖细菌的生态重要性在多大程度上与其他海洋生物的关系（共生、互惠）有关？*底栖细菌的碳循环的全球意义是什么，特别是在气候动态的极地地区和水动力变化的温带地区？研究计划的海上部分将包括使用显微镜和放射性同位素示踪技术，对底栖生物样本中天然细菌组合的碳循环活动进行现场测量。实验室研究将包括恢复新的微生物和选定的酶和核酸，对生物体及其组成部分在极端温度和压力下的活性和稳定性进行实验测试，以及对那些最有可能开辟基础研究和应用研究新途径的基因进行分子研究。

This microbiological research by Dr. Deming will focus on the positive interactive effects between elevated hydrostatic pressures and extremes in temperature. The work seeks to understand the limits of life on this planet (and perhaps elsewhere), both during early Archaean stages and in more contemporary settings. By focusing on the simplest of microorganisms and on environmental parameters conventionally viewed as biologically inhibitory, Dr. Deming has discovered novel types of bacteria operating in environments previously considered depauperate if not sterile of life, from hadal depths (8300m) in the Puerto Rico Trench to superheated hydrothermal vents (350 C) in the Pacific to subzero muds in the Arctic. During the period of this Presidential Young Investigator award, Dr. Deming will research bacteria from the benthic marine environment to address several issues: * What is the molecular-genetic basis for stable metabolic processes at the most extreme conditions to temperature and pressure? * Do bacteria from extreme marine environments produce extracellular enzymes of unique physical/chemical properties that alter the environments apart from living organism? * To what extent is the ecological importance of benthic bacteria tied to relationships (symbiotic, mutualistic) with other marine inhabitants? * What is the global significance of carbon cycling by benthic bacteria, especially in climatically dynamic polar regions and hydrodynamically variable temperate zones? Sea-going portions of the research plan will involve in situ measurements of the carbon-cycling activities of natural bacterial assemblages in benthic samples, using microscopic and radioisotopic tracer techniques. Laboratory research will include recovery of novel microorganisms and selected enzymes and nucleic acids, experimental tests for activity and stability of both the organism and its constituents under extreme temperatures and pressures, and molecular study of those genes most likely to open new avenues of both fundamental and applied research.