IPY: Chemolithoautotrophy in the Arctic Ocean--environmental genomics and functional analyses

北极沿海水域氨和甲烷的含量相当高，特别是在冬季，为海洋微生物提供了潜在的能量来源。本提案的主要重点是研究趋化养石微生物在北冰洋是否普遍存在，以及趋化养石是否是细菌和古细菌在冬季生存的关键。这个跨学科项目将使用环境基因组学、微生物生态学和生物地球化学来研究北极沿海水域的微生物生活。这项工作将在阿拉斯加的巴罗进行，并将使用环境基因组方法来识别主要的化学岩石自养微生物。科学小组还提出了研究这些生物的环境功能的研究，并将在他们的研究计划中包括qRT-PCR和联合FISH和显微放射自显影（Micro-FISH）。它将把北极和南极的基因组研究联系起来，挪威卑尔根的同事也将参与其中。首席研究员为极地水生微生物生态学（PAME）成员，该项目已被ICSU/WMO联合委员会认可为IPY项目。该项目将支持研究生的工作，并为本科生的实习项目提供材料。首席研究员将向公众发表关于北极的演讲（沿海洋流系列讲座和海岸日，每年吸引10,000人参加），并将向巴罗社区发表演讲，讨论海洋微生物在北极气候变化中的作用。

AbstractIPY FY 06 Life in the Cold and Dark ARC- 0632233 KirchmanLevels of ammonium and methane in arctic coastal waters are quite high, especially in winter, providing a potential energy source for marine microbes. The main focus of this proposal is to examine whether chemolithotrophic microbes are common in the Arctic Ocean and whether chemolithotrophy is key to the survival of bacteria and archaea during the winter months. This interdisciplinary project will use environmental genomics, microbial ecology, and biogeochemistry to examine microbial life in coastal Arctic waters. The work will be conducted at Barrow, Alaska, and will use an environmental genomic approach to identify the main chemolithoautotrophic microbes. The scientific team has also proposed studies to investigate the environmental functionality of these organisms, and will include qRT-PCR and combined FISH and microautoradiography (Micro-FISH) in their research plan. It will link Arctic and Antarctic genome studies, and it will involve colleagues in Bergen, Norway. The lead investigator is a member of PAME (Polar Aquatic Microbial Ecology), which has been recognized as an IPY program by the ICSU/WMO Joint Committee. The project will support the work of a graduate student and provide material for intern projects conducted by undergraduate students. The lead investigator will give presentations about the Arctic to the general public (Coastal Current Lecture Series and Coast Day, an open house that draws 10,000 people annually) and will also give presentations to the Barrow community to discuss the role of marine microbes in Arctic climate change.