NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2019: Viruses: Architects of Microbial Community Metabolism

Bistolas, Kalia, Ithaca NY

Investigators

Abstract

This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for FY 2019, Broadening Participation of Groups Under-represented in Biology. The fellowship supports a research and training plan for the Fellow that will increase the participation of groups underrepresented in biology. The Fellow will explore the interface between viruses, their microbial hosts, and human-driven changes in marine nutrients. Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on the planet yet cannot multiply without cellular hosts, including microbes. Viruses manipulate the metabolism of the microbes that they infect through numerous mechanisms, which has consequences for global nutrient cycling. One way that viruses modify microbial activities is by genetically altering microbial metabolism to better suit viral replication and this can also alter the way that microbes utilize key nutrients, including nitrogen. Nitrogen is a fundamental chemical in oceans and an essential component of all organisms. Human activities have increased the deposition of nitrogen into natural ecosystems five-fold over the last century. This influx alters the composition and function of microbial communities. The goal of this research is to understand how the genetics of viruses contributes to microbial metabolism to better predict how microbial communities respond to human-driven nutrient increases. The Fellow will also enhance inclusivity in science by working with students from underrepresented groups, including students with disabilities. This project targets an aggregate portrait of virus-encoded auxiliary metabolic gene (AMG) repertoires and host-virus dynamics in nitrate/urea-replete marine ecosystems using a multidimensional sequencing approach. By coupling in situ experimentation with in silico analysis of coexisting viral and cellular consortia, this research aims to resolve the significance of nitrogen amendment on (1) microbial community turnover and putative metabolic capacity, (2) composition and distribution of virus-encoded AMGs, and (3) microbial transcription of pathways involved in host-virus interactions. The experimental design expects to differentiate between short- and long-term impacts of eutrophication, providing both baseline information about AMG dynamics and stability under transitional conditions. As integral members of aquatic ecosystems, viruses govern microbial diversity, evolution, and metabolism; it is imperative to investigate host-virus dynamics and virus-mediated proliferation of AMGs under anticipated future biogeochemical conditions. In addition to facilitating the Fellow's development of key bioinformatic and molecular skills, this program will enable international collaboration, improve inclusivity and integration of universal design at fieldwork sites, and engage individuals of underrepresented groups through curriculum design and mentorship. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.