Viral Influence on Freshwater Cyanobacteria and Toxin Dynamics

淡水环境中的蓝藻对各种经过充分研究的物理因素以及环境化学变化做出反应。在这之上的是蓝噬菌的影响，它每毫升持续存在数千个，并调节蓝细菌的生产、增殖和多样性。随着产毒物种在全球范围内的大量繁殖，以及越来越多的证据表明，长期低水平接触蓝藻毒素可能会致肿瘤或致癌，对淡水蓝藻与感染它们的病毒之间的生态关系有一个基本的了解变得至关重要。这个项目是一个协调的跨学科实验室和实地研究，旨在研究田纳西州河及其支流的研究地点的溶解淡水噬藻体的生态学和多样性。通过对伊利湖西部盆地的考察，这项研究将为淡水中噬藻体-宿主关系提供基本的见解，并为实验室和自然系统中病毒在蓝藻毒素释放中的作用提供新的见解。实验室的组成部分将进一步这项工作，提供对这些系统的溶氰噬体的多样性的见解。这个研究项目包含一个重要的教育组成部分，将培养研究生和本科生（包括那些来自代表性不足群体的学生）在微生物生态学、湖沼学和分子生物学的跨学科方面。这项研究的最终科学产品将是信息，将加强我们对淡水系统中蓝藻增殖和噬藻动力学的理解。它将对病毒在毒素进入饮用水供应的溶解阶段中的作用提供关键的见解。它还将为那些对消费活动和娱乐活动的水管理感兴趣的人提供更广泛的资料。

0129118WilhelmCyanobacteria in freshwater environments respond to a variety of well-studied physical factors as well as changes in the chemistry of their environment. Overlying this is the influence of cyanophages, which persist in thousands per mL and regulate cyanobacterial production, proliferation and diversity. As blooms of toxin-producing species are increasing on a global scale, and evidence is emerging that suggests chronic, low-level exposures to cyanotoxins may be tumorogenic or carcinogenic, it has become critical to develop a basic understanding of the ecological relationship between freshwater cyanobacteria and the viruses that infect them. This project is a coordinated, interdisciplinary lab and field study designed to examine the ecology and diversity of lytic freshwater cyanophages at research sites in the Tennessee River and in one of its tributaries. Augmented by a cruise of opportunity in the western basin of Lake Erie, this study will provide a fundamental insight on the cyanophage-host relationship in freshwaters as well as provide new insight on the role of viruses in the release of cyanotoxins in both lab and natural systems. The laboratory component will further this work by providing insight on the diversity of the lytic cyanophages from these systems. This program of research contains a significant educational component that will train both graduate and undergraduate students (including those from underrepresented groups) in the interdisciplinary aspects of microbial ecology, limnology and molecular biology. The final scientific product of this study will be information that will enhance our understanding of cyanobacterial proliferation and cyanophage dynamics in freshwater systems. It will provide a critical insight on the role of viruses in the flux of toxins into thedissolved phase of potable water supplies. It will also serve to provide broader information for those interested in water management for both consumable and recreational activities.