Workshop: Microbial Observatories/Life in Extreme Environments Principal Investigator Workshop; September 22-24, 2002, Arlington, Virginia

美国国家科学基金会(NSF)微生物观测站(MO)和极端环境中的生命(Lexen)计划为研究微生物的多样性和活性提供了重要机会。这些项目共同赞助了对各种自然环境中微生物群落的各种研究，从极端和/或不寻常的(如热液喷口和高盐度湖泊)到典型的和/或无处不在的(如海水和农业土壤)。通过MO和Lexen计划资助的研究人员推动了微生物多样性和微生物生物地球化学研究的前沿，发现了新的微生物谱系，描述了自然微生物群落的复杂性，并将微生物分类群与关键的生态系统功能联系起来。提议举办一个研讨会，其中包括MO和Lexen项目的主要研究人员、该领域的其他杰出科学家和博士后学生，以此作为加强未来环境生物学和微生物生命研究的机制。研讨会的目的有两个：1)为主要研究人员、博士后助理和研究生提供一个平台，在项目之间分享想法和技术，促进技术进步的交流，并促进协作/跨学科活动；2)讨论由国家科学基金会赞助的微生物生命研究计划的未来，包括确定资金缺口和分析新的研究前沿。研讨会将为学生和博士后培训提供一个重要的机会。至少22名博士后助理和研究生将作为MO或Lexen项目的代表参加会议。目前由NSF微生物生物学博士后项目资助的另外24名博士后助理，包括科学界代表性不足的少数族裔，已被邀请参加。

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Microbial Observatory (MO) and Life in Extreme Environments (LExEn) programs have provided critical opportunities for research into the diversity and activity of microorganisms. Together, these programs sponsor diverse research efforts on microbial communities from a wide variety of natural environments, ranging from the extreme and/or unusual (e.g., hydrothermal vents and hypersaline lakes) to the typical and/or ubiquitous (e.g., ocean waters and agricultural soils). The investigators funded through the MO and LExEn programs have pushed the frontier of microbial diversity and microbial biogeochemistry research, discovering novel microbial lineages, describing the complexity of natural microbial communities, and linking microbial taxa to critical ecosystem functions. A workshop, including principal investigators of MO and LExEn projects, other outstanding scientists in the field, and Postdoctoral students is proposed as a mechanism to enhance future research in environmental biology and microbial life. The purpose of the workshop is two-fold: 1) to provide a platform for principal investigators, post-doctoral associates, and graduate students to share ideas and techniques among projects, facilitating communication of technical advancements and fostering collaborative/interdisciplinary activities; and 2) to discuss the future of microbial life research programs sponsored by the National Science Foundation, including identification of funding gaps and analysis of new research frontiers. The workshop will provide an important opportunity for student and postdoctoral training. At least 22 postdoctoral associates and graduate students will take part in the meeting as representatives of MO or LExEn projects. An additional 24 postdoctoral associates currently funded through the NSF Microbial Biology postdoctoral program, including underrepresented minorities in science, have been invited to attend.