CAREER: Sulfur Oxidation in Chlorobium tepidum, a Model Phototrophic Bacterium

这一职业发展计划强调在非传统微生物模型系统中进行微生物生理学的基因组研究。研究部分将提供更深入的了解绿色硫磺细菌(绿硫科)，一组广泛的厌氧光营养细菌，如何在厌氧条件下氧化还原的硫化合物。厌氧硫氧化消耗还原的硫化物，这对人类和其他生物是有毒的。厌氧硫氧化是绿色硫磺细菌能量生成途径中的关键部分，但它是绿叶科植物中最鲜为人知的功能之一。硫氧化所需的特定遗传成分将通过分子遗传学方法在特氏氯杆菌中进行鉴定，这是一种公认的氯双科模式系统。缺乏硫氧化酶的突变体的特征与生化研究相结合，将详细说明这些酶对柔毛虫生理的贡献。该项目将开发和传播基因工具，以帮助分析目前正在测序的其他九个绿豆科基因组。广泛影响：一个推广部分将产生一个符合国家教育标准的科学课程单元。该模块将使用Winogradsky柱来说明微生物与其环境之间的动态相互作用。该项目的一个独特之处是与研究计划的紧密结合。这将通过使用学生构建的Winogradsky柱作为依赖硫的光养生物的来源来实现，这些光养生物将被带入PI实验室的无菌培养中。将对这些培养物进行分析，以评估研究部分确定的关键硫氧化基因的多样性和分布。文化财产、历史、图像和数据将被放在一个网站上，供参与的教室和普通公众访问，以完成大学研究和K-12教育之间的互动循环。

This career development plan emphasizes genome-enabled studies of microbial physiology in a non-traditional microbial model system. The research component will provide a deeper understanding of how green sulfur bacteria (Chlorobiaceae), a widespread group of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria, oxidize reduced sulfur compounds under anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic sulfur oxidation consumes reduced sulfur compounds, which are toxic to humans and other organisms. Anaerobic sulfur oxidation is a critical part of energy generation pathways in green sulfur bacteria, but it is one of the most poorly understood functions carried out by the Chlorobiaceae. The specific genetic components required for sulfur oxidation will be identified by a molecular genetic approach in Chlorobium tepidum, a recognized model system for the Chlorobiaceae. Characterization of mutants lacking sulfur oxidation enzymes coupled with biochemical studies will detail the contributions of these enzymes to the physiology of C. tepidum. This project will develop and disseminate genetic tools that will assist in analysis of the nine other Chlorobiaceae genomes currently being sequenced.Broader impacts: An outreach component will produce a science curriculum module that satisfies national educational standards. The module will use Winogradsky columns to illustrate the dynamic interaction between microbes and their environment. One unique aspect of the project is a strong integration with the research program. This will be accomplished by using student-constructed Winogradsky columns as sources of sulfur dependent phototrophs, which will be brought into axenic culture in the PI's laboratory. These cultures will be analyzed to assess the diversity and distribution of key sulfur oxidation genes identified by the research component. Culture properties, histories, images and data will be placed on a Web site for access by participating classrooms and the general public to complete an interactive loop between university research and K-12 education.