Shell Morphogenesis in Giant Agglutinated Foraminifera

塞缪尔·鲍瑟OPP97-25830摘要在寒冷的深海沉积物中占主导地位的是一组巨大的原生动物，聚集性有孔虫，也被称为有孔虫。为了保护自己，这些单细胞生物将自己包裹在建筑优雅的贝壳中，它们通过收集、分类和粘合沉积物颗粒来建造贝壳。在南极洲麦克默多海湾的浅水中发现了这些巨大的细胞单元(大小超过一毫米)，这使得研究贝壳结构的细胞和分子方面成为可能。这个项目将使用新的光学显微镜方法来检查凝集的有孔虫是如何分泌和雕刻粘附性基质的，这种粘附性基质结合了贝壳中的沉积物。对建造贝壳的不同有孔虫物种的比较延时摄影将确定导致不同贝壳形态的过程中的关键步骤。对贝壳弹性蛋白质的肽序列分析将为了解有孔虫生物粘合剂的化学性质提供有价值的见解。从实用的角度来看，这些水泥具有重要的生物技术和医疗应用。该项目还将继续研究收集活动的影响，以及在这一独特环境中的自然物质干扰。这一跨学科项目涉及多个领域，包括细胞发育、进化、古生物学、海产品化学和生态系统管理。

Samuel Bowser OPP97-25830 Abstract A dominant member of cold, deep-sea sediments is a group of giant protozoa, the aggulatinated foraminifera, also known as forams. For protection, these single-celled organisms encase themselves in architecturally-elegant shells that they construct by collecting, sorting, and cementing together sediment grains. The unique occurrence of these giant cells (greater than one millimeter in size) in the shallow waters of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica allows for the study of the cellular and molecular aspects of shell constructions. This project will use novel light microscopic methods to examine how agglutinated forams secrete and sculpt the adhesive matrix that binds sediment particular in their shells. Comparative time-lapse photography of different foram species constructing shells will identify key steps in the processes that lead to the various shell morphologies. Peptide sequence analyses of the elastic proteins of the shells will provide valuable insight into the chemical nature of foram bioadhesives. From a practical standpoint, these cements have important biotechnological and medical applications. This project will also continue a study of the effects of collection activities, as well as natural physical disturbances, in this unique environment. This interdisciplinary project has implications in a number of fields, including cellular development, evolution, paleontology, marine products chemistry, and ecosystem management.