RCN: Enzymes in the Environment

由细菌和真菌产生的胞外酶参与了无数的生物地球化学过程，是为陆地和水生生态系统提供服务的核心。一个非常重要的过程是土壤和沉积物中有机物的生物分解，这是全球碳循环的关键组成部分。此外，受污染的土壤和水体的自然衰减取决于胞外酶的活性。然而，我们对胞外酶的多样性和功能的有限知识限制了我们理解和管理生物地球化学过程以实现诸如碳固定、优化生态系统生产力和生物修复等有益结果的能力。这个研究协调网络的总体目标是通过改善沟通、合作和刺激新的倡议来促进我们对环境中的酶的理解。该网络将通过组织研讨会、数据合成、标准化方法和维护一个项目网站来实现这一目标。这个研究协调网络满足了我们对不同微生物对酶生产的控制、它们的稳定性和周转以及它们的原位活动的理解的需要。目前，我们的理解受到以下因素的限制：(1)测量各种环境中实际酶活性的有限方法，(2)跨学科和生态系统边界的有限论述，以及(3)将当前研究综合成一个整合到生态系统模型中的概念框架的有限综合。基因组学和其他分子方法的新进展将使该领域的快速发展成为可能。该网络将加强参与这项研究各个方面的国际科学家之间的合作和交流。将通过积极招聘、参与实验室交流计划以获得研究经验以及促进不同的研究人员群体参与各种网络活动来促进未被充分代表的群体更广泛地参与科学。

Enzyme RCN AbstractExtracellular enzymes produced by bacteria and fungi are involved in innumerable biogeochemical processes and are central to providing services to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. One very important process is the biological decomposition of organic matter in soils and sediments, which is a critical component of the global carbon cycle. Furthermore, the natural attenuation of polluted soils and waters depends on the activities of extracellular enzymes. However, our ability to understand and manage biogeochemical processes for beneficial outcomes such as carbon sequestration, optimizing ecosystem productivity, and bioremediation is constrained by our limited knowledge of the diversity and functional capabilities of extracellular enzymes. The overall goal of this Research Coordination Network is to advance our understanding of enzymes in the environment through improved communication, collaboration, and spurring new initiatives. The network will accomplish this goal by organizing workshops, data synthesizing, standardizing methods, and through maintaining a project website.This Research Coordination Network addresses a need to advance our understanding of the controls on the production of enzymes by different microbes, their stabilization and turnover, and their in-situ activity. Currently, our understanding is constrained by (1) limited methods for measuring actual enzyme activities in various environments, (2) limited discourse across disciplinary and ecosystem boundaries, and (3) limited synthesis of current research into an integrated conceptual framework that feeds into ecosystem models. New advances in genomics and other molecular approaches will allow for rapid advances in this field. This network will enhance collaboration and communication between the international community of scientists involved in various aspects of this research. Broadening participation of underrepresented groups in science will be promoted by active recruitment, participation in a lab exchange program to gain research experience, and by promoting participation of a diverse group of researchers in various network activities.