Research Starter Grant: Characterization of Genetic and Biochemical Mechanisms of Iron Acquisition by Pseudomonas mendocina strain ymp

铁是地球上最丰富的元素，因此大多数生命形式进化出对铁的强制依赖也就不足为奇了。 然而，在有氧条件下，大部分铁以不溶性铁矿物形式存在。为了应对这种环境压力，原核生物已经进化出了一些策略，例如使用铁载体从有限的可溶性供应中螯合铁。 铁载体和产生铁载体的微生物确实被证明对矿物溶解速率有显着影响。 已经研究了门多萨假单胞菌菌株ymp的铁载体产生和矿物溶解，但对门多萨假单胞菌任何菌株的遗传内容知之甚少。本研究项目的目标是通过铁载体介导的途径和非预期的铁摄取途径来表征参与铁摄取的基因。 对P. mendocina中这些途径的表征将有助于更好地了解微生物如何在生物地球化学过程中发挥重要作用，并可能提供独特的解决方案来加强生物修复。更广泛的影响本项目将通过整合夏威夷少数民族本科生和研究生的课堂教育和实验室培训，促进环境分子微生物学领域的学生培训。位于希洛的夏威夷大学致力于本科教育，是一所为少数民族服务的机构。 大约68%的学生是夏威夷居民，其中21%的学生是夏威夷土著。 该项目将有以下教育组成部分：（1）在多学科实验室使用分子、生物化学和微生物学技术对本科生和研究生进行实践培训;（2）指导和吸引少数民族本科生到实验室作为暑期研究实习生从事环境分子微生物学项目;（3）开发环境微生物学实验室课程，为高年级本科生提供课堂讨论/讲座和实践经验相结合的课程。

Iron is the most abundant element on earth and thus it is not surprising that most forms of life have evolved an obligate dependence on iron. However, under aerobic conditions the majority of iron exists as insoluble ferric mineral forms. In response to such environmental pressures, prokaryotes have evolved strategies such as the use of siderophores for sequestering iron from a limited soluble supply. Siderophores and siderophore-producing microbes have indeed been shown to have significant effects on rates of mineral dissolution. Pseudomonas mendocina strain ymp has been studied for siderophore production and mineral dissolution, but very little is known about the genetic content of any strain of P. mendocina. The goals of this research project are to characterize genes involved in iron uptake by both siderophore-mediated pathways, and by unanticipated iron uptake pathways. The characterization of such pathways in P. mendocina will lead to a greater understanding of how microorganisms play an important role in biogeochemical processes as well as potentially providing unique solutions to enhance bioremediation. Broader Impacts This project will facilitate student training in the field of environmental molecular microbiology by integrating classroom education and laboratory training for minority undergraduates and graduate students of Hawaii. The University of Hawaii at Hilo is dedicated to undergraduate education and is a minority-serving institution. Approximately 68% of students are residents of Hawaii and 21% of those students are Native Hawaiian. The project will have the following educational components: 1) providing hands-on training of undergraduate and graduate students in a multidisciplinary laboratory using molecular, biochemical, and microbiological techniques; 2) mentoring and bringing in minority undergraduates to the laboratory to work on environmental molecular microbiology projects as summer research interns; 3) developing a laboratory-based course in environmental microbiology, which integrates classroom discussions/lectures and hands-on experience for senior undergraduates.