Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Polar microbial diversity: exploration, function and exploitation  (POMIDIV)

Outline
We propose to study the diversity of microbial organisms in terrestrial, freshwater and marine polar ecosystems, including cryoconites, benthic mats (in lakes, meltwaters and the marine littoral), sea-ice, crusts on rocks and soils, volcanic springs, and endolithic biota. This work will include the isolation of strains, and the morphological and genotypic characterisation of strains and environmental samples. We will use phylogenetic and population genetic methods to assess the origin, evolution and population genetics of selected strains. We plan to use physiological experiments, and molecular-genetic and genomic approaches, in combination with monitoring studies in selected areas, to reveal how key organisms have (co-)adapted to the extreme polar environment and how they respond to inter- and intra-annual environmental changes (e.g., light climate, temperature, nutrient concentrations etc.). The isolated strains will be screened for biotechnological and pharmaceutical purposes. In addition, we propose to study and exploit the metagenome of these communities in order to access the diversity of functional genes from uncultivated microorganisms. Ultimately, our research will contribute to a better understanding of what biological and environmental processes have shaped polar microbial communities and which factors will likely to be important in the context of future climate change. The following Work Packages are envisaged: 1) build and extend culture collections of polar microorganisms 2) carry out multimethod diversity studies on strains and environmental samples to identify and characterize the bacteria, cyanobacteria, microalgae, protozoa and fungi present in the investigated biotopes 3) study phylogeny and population genetics of selected groups in order to assess origin, evolution and exchange between polar populations at different spatial scales (local to bipolar) 4) elucidate physiological adaptations and functioning of the microbial communities using a multidisciplinary approach, including ecophysiological experiments in standardised conditions and monitoring programs 5) exploit and screen the microbial strains isolated during the project to find interesting compounds and enzymes 6) build and screen libraries of the metagenomic studies of selected biotopes for interesting molecules and activities 7) define sites and biotopes of special ‘microbial interest’ and centres of microbial diversity

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1 – POMIDIV will construct an extensive and state-of-the-art dataset of microbial diversity sampled using standardised techniques in selected biotopes during the IPY campaigns. This can serve as ‘baseline data’ to compare with the diversity of microorganisms that will be observed at later times, especially in the context of global change. As the molecular markers used are permanent and stable (in contrast to morphology or other phenotypic markers), they enable comparisons that will be objective and standardized.Theme 2 – The detection of changes in the polar regions will be allowed thanks to comparison of the present diversity and what we know from previous studies in the same biotopes. Using POMIDIV data, collected according to standardized protocols, will form the baseline information for future monitoring of the evolution of microbial diversity in selected references areas (‘microbial observatories’, see below)Theme 3 – Current hypotheses state that! microbial diversity is ubiquitous and hence low (Finlay 2002). By using phylogenetic and population genetic markers we will study affinities between polar populations and subpolar/temperate populations of selected organisms to determine the extent of past or extant genetic divergence between them. Theme 4 – POMIDIV aims at the discovery of a new diversity of organisms that are traditionally overlooked due to their small size, their unsatisfactory taxonomic systems and their often difficult cultivation. Recent studies based on sequence data hint to the existence of endemic genotypes in Antarctica. New knowledge on microbial diversity in extreme cold environments is also relevant to astrobiology and the search of life on Mars.This research is highly relevant as polar ecosystems, and especially Antarctica, are dominated by microbial organisms and their activities. Antarctica can rightly be named a microbial continent, where almost all higher organisms are not permanent inhabi! tants. Both poles offer extreme environmental conditions, whic! h have s elected for a unique genetic diversity that still awaits full exploration and exploitation. In addition, this research will contribute to our knowledge on the effects of climatic change on the gradient of ecosystems going from coastal, freshwater and terrestrial environments, which form the research topic of the programmes RISCC (Regional Sensitivity to Climate Change in Antarctic Terrestrial and Limnetic Ecosystems) and N-RISCC (idem in the Arctic), that are linked to SCAR and ICSU. It also fits with the SCAR programme ‘Evolution and Biodiversity in the Antarctic’, and a link can be made to the Canadian ‘Arctic Ocean Genome Project’ in preparation.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We envisage that an undertaking to describe and explore the applied potential of polar microbial diversity should be highly international in order to avoid overlap and to ensure adequate coverage of all above-mentioned habitats and organisms. In the framework of previous projects, we have built up an international network of scientists which have efficiently collaborated in the past and present (see list below). In addition, we welcome proposals of new partnerships and links to other projects.A better documentation and understanding of the microbial diversity of polar ecosystems is highly relevant for understanding the functioning of polar ecosystems, and their role in a global (climatic) context. The results of our studies will therefore be crucial to many other polar research areas, ranging from biogeochemical cycling to paleoclimatology.Finally, international cooperation will increase access to polar materials and ensure efficient use of logistics (boats, pl! anes, laboratories). If a multidisciplinary study is undertaken internationally on a few selected polar biotopes, including a bipolar comparison where possible, this activity will serve as a ‘flagship’ to focus the scientific effort, to multiply its impact thanks to cooperation between different disciplines, and to communicate more easily with the public about the importance of the IPY07.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Antarctica : Selected Sites of Special Scientific Interest on Continental and Maritime Antarctica (http://www.anta.canterbury.ac.nz/resources/handbook/vol2/2-6-3-1-2.html) (in compliance with protection rules) and sites expected to support significant microbial life visited by the big traverses of the continent. BAS also offers access to Rothera, Signy, the Ryder Bay Islands, Mars OasisArctic : North Canada (Northern Ellesmere Island,…), Arctic Sea, Greenland, SvalbardNew partners might bring access to new study sites, and the final choice of the locations will be made by the Scientific Council, after consultation of partners and experts.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/07 – 09/07       idem in 2008      
Antarctic: 11/07 – 03/08       idem in 2008      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We need access to scientific bases close to the sampling points, and planes/helicopters to go to remote sites. Note that we can use the same facilities as other scientists who would go to the sites for other reasons. It is also possible to have only one scientist sampling for many partners, with subsequent sharing of materials.In case that the big traverses of the continent go through sites of microbial interest, we would ask them to take samples and explain how to do that.The newly opened Belgian Station will also be used, as it is in an Antarctic region (Sör-Rondane) that is still quite unexplored and includes interesting biotopes.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
One outcome will be the assessment of the ‘microbial interest’ of biotopes, and could result in the definition of ‘permanent quadrants’ and ‘microbial observatories’. ‘Permanent quadrants’ would be light infrastructures marking permanently an area that could be regularly and easily sampled, for example, at the frontier between two biotopes (ice-rock, water-mosses…). The studies would include diversity and functional aspects, to evaluate changes. ‘Microbial observatories’ would be Sites of Special Microbial Interest, deserving more interdisciplinary studies in the future.

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

At present time, we expect that the partners will obtain different types of logistic support (access to certain bases, use of certain transport facilities) from their national operators, and a coordination will be set up to enable the most optimal use of these facilities by POMIDIV.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes, by the Belgian IPY Committee

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?
New
This project has been transmitted to PG as a Letter of Intent in December 2003 by the Belgian Committee and listed in the ideas on the website. Otherwise, it is a new project.Two Belgian proposers have been funded since 1999 by the Belgian Science Policy (project LAQUAN) and will submit a new proposal in 2005. The cluster BE-POLES, where the International Polar Foundation is most active, is now responsible for communication and outreach of the Belgian polar research, and the BE-POLES’ structures (website, communication platform, activities for schools….) will be used as much as possible. Renewal of BE-POLES’ contract at the end 2006 will also be sought from the Belgian Science Policy.

How will the project be organised and managed?
In addition to a classical coordination by one coordinator, there will be ‘Work Package Leaders’ who will coordinate the activities in their WPs and organise the reporting and outreach. A ‘Scientific Council’ will be set up, including experts in polar research, who can advise the project from a scientific and practical point of view, and make links with international organs like SCAR. There will also be a ‘Exploitation Council’ that will ensure a good dialogue between scientists, stakeholders and indigenous people in the Arctic. A ‘Communication Council’ will be led by the International Polar Foundation. Depending on the final size of the consortium and the cooperation with other projects, other decision bodies and a steering committee can be created.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The educational purposes will be reached by the integration of PhD students in the partners’ teams.The International Polar Foundation (IPF) will coordinate the outreach and communication activities. A website will be set up (probably as part of the BE-POLES website), containing both scientific information and ‘digests’ for the public. News from the missions and diaries of scientists in the field will be displayed. At the Belgian Basis, we will design an educational activity to take advantage of the permanent connection with schools that will be set up by IPF.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
We will dialogue with the Australian Antarctic Database and the Belgian node of G-BIF (Global Biodiversity Information) to build a database compatible with theirs. They will have a copy of our full dataset.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We propWe propose that after drawing a participation plan for each partner, (s)he will seek financing by national funding agencies.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
We are Presently a consortium of 15 partners, we are open for collaborations from individual teams and already existing projects. We are aware of the questions raised by the commercial exploitation of microbial ressources as explained during the workshop ‘Bioprospecting in Antarctica’ (April 2003, New Zealand) and will follow the rules and conventions concerning this issue.In the Arctic, care will be taken to involve the indigenous people, and contacts with ArcticNet will be sought.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Annick Wilmotte
Center for Protein Engineering
Institute of Chemistry B6
Liège
4000
Belgium

Tel: 32 4 366 38 56
Mobile:
Fax: 32 4 366 33 64
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information