Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Origin, evolution, biodiversity and survival of epi/endolithic microorganisms from Polar and cold environments  (Origin, evolution, biodiversity and survival of epi/endolithic microorganisms from Polar and cold environments)

Outline
Antarctic microbial ecosystems provide unique models for investigations in evolutionary ecology because of the relative isolation of the South Polar region, the severe environmental conditions and the absence of higher plants and animals in many Antarctic areas. The cryptoendolithic microbial communities of the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica, live in the airspaces of rocks at the absolute biological limit for life. These microorganisms colonize a strictly sealed Antarctic environment where they evolved isolated from the global gene pool over a timescale of evolutionary significance. The isolation and selection pressure allow the arising of microbial endemisms and possibly new biosynthetic abilities as response to extremely stressing conditions. In fact, phylogenetic studies carried out on a particular group of Antarctic fungi living in the Cryptoendolithic lichen dominated communities highlighted the presence of unique genotypes, some of which quite far from any other microorganism known at the moment. In order to clarify how the origin and the evolution have been driven during the moving of the continents and the consequent climatic changes we propose to extend this investigation to different areas in Antarctica, also characterized by milder conditions such as Antarctic Peninsula, and Arctic and/or cold environments in order to individuate other similar genotypes among rock microorganisms from different cold environments. Another task will be to test the microbial responses under a combination of stressing conditions, aridity, thermal fluctuations and low temperatures and environmental changes such as increasing UV exposition, to investigate how they can outstretch their ability of adaptation, also to evaluate the possibility of survival in space conditions. The results obtained will provide a picture of the present microbial biodiversity, its origin and evolution according with the geologic history of the Antarctic and other continents. This project could be linked with the EBESA (R. Bargagli) proposal, as the extreme part of the latitudinal transect to study the origin, evolutionary responses to different climatic environmental conditions, genetic links and interactions of key species with organisms in the rest of the world. Furthermore, investigations on cryptoendolithic bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi, including lichens and yeasts, of these communities from a morphological, physiological and molecular point of view, will shed light on their limits of survival, adaptations, resistance mechanisms and on the genes involved.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Knowledge will be improved on the following IPY themes: 1)Investigations on the present rock-inhabiting microbial biodiversity 2)Biodiversity evolution during long-term climatic changes related to the moving of the continents due to the tectonics. 3)Microbial response to environmental changes such as increasing UV exposition and how they can outstretch their ability of adaptation. 4)Investigation of unexplored biodiversity in the rocks of other cold environments: Alps, Svalbard Islands, Himalaya, Rocky Mountains, Ellesmere Island, Andes.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project would involve British, Polish and Dutch Antarctic Programs and NASA (USA)

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Samples collection will be done in different areas of cold environments possibly harbouring rock-inhabiting microorganisms: Antarctica: different locations both in the Northern and in the Southern Victoria Land and other areas in the transantarctic Mountains, Antarctic Peninsula. Arctic regions: Svalbard Islands, Ellesmere Island. South America: different locations in the Andes (Southern part). Different locations in the Alps. Himalaya.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: June/July 2007            
Antarctic: January/February 2008            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The requirement includes facilities to reach collecting samples areas: ship or flight to reach existing Arctic and Antarctic Bases and field stations. Helicopters, tents etc. to prepare remote camps and collecting sites.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Exp
Our group is already involved in the investigation of the Antarctic microbial communities. A wide selection of colonized rock samples collected in the framework of the PNRA in the Northern and Southern Victoria Land of the Antarctica and a large collection of Antarctic microrganisms are already available for investigations.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project deals a multidisciplinary study and high qualified researchers will lead each specific field. The investigations will include: 1)Collection of rock samples from different sites; 2)Microorganisms isolation and biodiversity conservation; 3)Physiological and morphological investigations; 4)Evaluation of biodiversity with molecular tools. Phylogenetic studies to clarify the origin and evolution of different microorganisms according with the geologic history of the Continents. 5)UV Irradiation experiments.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Since different Universities will be involved, education will be addressed both to undergraduate and graduate level. Research activities will be addressed basically at graduate, doctoral, to post-doctoral level with the established of proper stipends to stimulate involvement and training of new researchers.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data, accompanied by sufficient metadata, collected as part of the IPY 2007-2008 will be securely stored for free use at any time taking advantage of the existing data management SIRIA project, developed in the framework of the PNRA (Italian National Program for the Researches in Antarctica) by trained data specialists.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Financial support by National Antarctic Programs. Since four European Countries are involved, EC founds could be obtained.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Professor Silvano Onofri
Università degli Studi della Tuscia
Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali
Largo dell’Università snc Viterbo, (I)
01100
Italy

Tel: +390761357129
Mobile: +39 3391362153
Fax: +390761357179
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information