Use of molecular techniques
to identify non-culturable microbes has revolutionized microbial ecology.
While most of this work has focused on prokaryotes, studies of microscopic
eukaryal (protist) molecular ecology are also helping understand how gene
abundance, regulation, and flow contribute to structuring microbial assemblages,
metabolism, and environmental impact. Much of my lab is set up for this
work, which is of interest to students who want to learn molecular biology
techniques and apply them to problems of ecology.
I am working in two areas: protist genetic
diversity in extreme environments, and plant-microbe interactions.
Isolation
of Cyanidium-like algae from Boiling Springs Lake |
Mary Ellen Sanders, Isolation of Cyanidium-like algae
from BSL
Link to M.E.S.'s poster
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Currently, I am collaborating
with Drs. Patty
Siering and Mark
Wilson (Humboldt State Univ.) and Ken
Stedman (Portland State Univ.). We have chosen Boiling
Springs Lake as the site for a possible NSF Microbial Observatory,
to study integrated eukaryotic, prokaryotic and viral diversity
and dynamics. Although we have not received funding so far, we are
continuing pilot studies and hope to resubmit. Engineering students
at PSU are currently building a remotely operated vehicle to sample
BSL waters.
Photos of BSL
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Response
of root-associated (rhizosphere) bacteria to plant defense gene
expression |
Dr.
Kris Blee, CSUC, and I are interested in how plant
defense gene expression might affect bacterial populations in the
root environment, or rhizosphere. John Hein’s master’s
thesis investigated the possibility that entire soil microbial communities
can be selectively altered by manipulated expression of the plant
defense pathway systemic acquired resistance (SAR). SAR is a broad
scale systemic defense response against necrotizing bacterial, fungal,
and viral pathogens. The ABI 310 genetic analyzer allows us to use
terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis
as a tool to measure bacterial community structure. We are attempting
to determine whether or not communities from the same initial soil
can be altered by the presence of Arabidopsis thaliana
plants that are either constitutive mutants for SAR, or that lack
this defense altogether.
J. Hein
received his M.S. degree in Spring 2006. His research is in press
as of July 2007; please e-mail
me for a copy of the manuscript.
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