EXPLORATORY RESEARCH ON ARCTIC MICROBIAL DIVERSITY

Northeastern University, Boston MA

Investigators

Abstract

0214231 Epstein The project is exploratory research on microbial diversity of Arctic sediments at two specific locations in Greenland. The effort will go to the field and work in the laboratory to - Investigate molecular diversity of marine sediment prokaryotes. Using total DNA extracts and 16S rRNA approach the PIs will characterize the Archaea and Bacteria found in the sediments at the experimental sites. - Examine molecular diversity of marine sediment Protista. They will characterize the genetic (18S rRNA and other genes) diversity of psychrophilic and psychrotolerant microeukaryotes at the experimental sites. - Explore in detail morphological and genetic diversity of one specific group of marine sediment protists, ciliated Protozoa. They will be looking for cryptic psychrophilic species that may remain un- or misudentified because of their morphological similarity to their relatives from the temperate areas. This exploratory project will lay the ground for the future large-scale research on ecology, evolution, genomics, and biotechnological potential of microorganisms from Arctic sediments.