Characterization of Adaptations to Large Cell Size in Epulopiscium sp.

这个项目将以EPulopiscium为模型，解决所有大细胞都面临的一个基本问题，即大细胞如何克服生物活性分子扩散系数对其施加的限制。雪茄状细胞长600微米，宽80微米，EPulopiscium spp.是迄今为止描述的最大的异养菌。位于细胞质外围的重复DNA的存在可能是一种重要的适应，以维持Epuopiscium中的大细胞尺寸和高代谢活性。这项研究项目将进一步表征这种适应及其对生物分子生产和分配的影响。这些结果将为及时将分子(能量和营养)转移到细胞内不同位置的基本细胞问题提供重要的见解。该项目为对科学感兴趣的研究生、本科生和高中生提供了重要的教育和培训机会。虽然EPulopiscium在细菌世界中是例外的，但它是一个传达细菌细胞基本概念的令人兴奋的模型。它们如此之大，但并不致病，这使它们成为微生物世界的良好代表，不仅对生物学专业的学生，而且对普通公众来说都是如此。为了促进信息流通，将开发一个以EPulopiscium生物为特色的网站。它将使用EPulopiscium作为中心模型，介绍从纳米生物技术到低G+C革兰氏阳性细菌的多样性(包括有关炭疽杆菌等病原体的信息)的各种主题。

Using Epulopiscium as a model, this project will address a fundamental problem facedby all large cells; that is, how a large cell overcomes constraints imposed on it by thediffusion coefficients of bioactive molecules. With cigar-shaped cells reaching 600 microns by80 microns, Epulopiscium spp. are the largest heterotrophic bacteria described to date. Thepresence of repetitive DNA located at the periphery of the cytoplasm may be asignificant adaptation to maintain large cell size and high metabolic activity inEpulopiscium. This research project will further characterize this adaptation and itsimpact on biomolecule production and distribution. These results will provide importantinsights into the fundamental cellular issue of getting molecules (energy and nutrients) todistinct locations within a cell in a timely fashion. The project provides significanteducational and training opportunities for graduate, undergraduate and high schoolstudents interested in the sciences. Although Epulopiscium is exceptional in thebacterial world it is an exciting model for conveying basic concepts of the bacterial cell.The fact that Epulopiscium spp. are so large, but not pathogenic, makes them goodrepresentatives of the microbial world, not only for biology students but for the generalpublic as well. To facilitate information flow, a website featuring Epulopiscium biologywill be developed. It will use Epulopiscium as a central model to introduce topicsranging from nanobiotechnology to the diversity of low G+C Gram positive bacteria(including information about pathogens like Bacillus anthracis).