CAA: Rhizosphere Influence on Hydrocarbon Metabolizing Microorganisms

Gregory M.颜色提案#0542309根际对烃代谢微生物的影响这个职业发展奖的目标是使用基于培养和非培养的方法来表征与烃影响土壤中植物根际相关的微生物种群。一系列的地块已建立在多环芳烃（PAH）影响的土壤，已种植的物种原产于密歇根州。这些图的初步结果表明，个别植物物种对碳氢化合物的去除程度有不同的影响。在本研究计划中，将进行实验，以评估独特的植物物种对栖息在根际微生物群落的不同影响。这将通过分析在不同时间间隔从不同地块收集的土壤样品来进行。微生物群落将通过以下方式进行表征：1）对能够识别存在微生物的基因（16 S rRNA基因）进行测序; 2）对参与PAH降解的基因（PAH双加氧酶）进行测序; 3）比较根际样品的碳利用概况。预计这些实验将揭示微生物因素，使一些植物加速去除污染土壤中的多环芳烃，而其他人阻碍其去除。更广泛的影响包括开发一个生态框架，以了解如何优化植物修复等应用技术。这个项目的某些方面也将被整合到一个学期的合作实验室的微生物生态学和植物生理学类在同一学期教授的经验。此外，这一支持将用于通过当地外联和通过额外的正式NSF渠道（例如REU和RET补充）为代表性不足的人群增加研究机会。

Gregory M. Colores Proposal #0542309Rhizosphere influence on hydrocarbon metabolizing microorganismsThe goal of this Career Advancement Award is to use cultivation and non-cultivation based methods to characterize the microbial populations associated with plant rhizospheres in hydrocarbon-impacted soils. A series of plots have been established in polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) impacted soils that have been planted with species native to Michigan. Preliminary results with these plots indicate that individual plant species have different effects on the extent of hydrocarbon removal. In this research project, experiments will be conducted to evaluate the different influences that unique plant species have on the microbial communities inhabiting the rhizospheres. This will be performed by analyzing soil samples collected from different plots at various time intervals. Microbial communities will be characterized by 1) sequencing a gene that will enable the identification of microorganisms present (16S rRNA genes) 2) sequencing genes involved in PAH-degradation (PAH dioxygenases), and 3) comparing carbon utilization profiles of rhizosphere samples. It is anticipated that these experiments will reveal microbiological factors that enable some plants to accelerate the removal of PAHs from contaminated soils, whereas others hinder their removal. The broader impacts include developing an ecological framework for understanding how an applied technology like phytoremediation can be optimized. Some aspects of this project will also be integrated into a semester long cooperative laboratory experience for a microbial ecology and plant physiology class taught during the same semester. Further, this support will be used to increase research opportunities for underrepresented populations through local outreach and through additional, formal NSF channels (e.g. REU and RET supplements).