Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Response of Polar, Tropical and Temperate Microalgae to Global Warming and Increased UV Radiation  (Polar Microalgae : Global Warming and UVR)

Outline
Microalgae are an important biotic component of the polar ecosystem as they form the basis of the food webs. Environmental changes such as accelerated global warming and increased levels of UVR can have an adverse impact on the polar microalgae, which in turn can affect organisms at the higher trophic levels. Although impacts such as temperature and UVR stress on polar microalgae have been widely studied, there have been few that compare the response of microalgae from different geographical regions to such stress in parallel studies. Futhermore, there are few reports on the response of Tropical microalgae to UVR stress. Information from such comparative studies is useful in correlating the diversity of microalgae from different geographical regions with their difference in response and adaption to environmental stress. The data obtained will also contribute to the understanding of the evolutionary history of the microalgae. The proposed project is in line with the IPY Programme under the theme “Evolution and Biodiversity in the Antarctic : the response of life to change” put up by the Life Sciences Scientific Standing Group (LSSSG). It will contribute to achieving the objective of the programme, which seeks to understand the evolutionary adaptation to the Antarctic environment on the basis of organismal level ecophysiology and molecular studies (genomics and proteomics). Objectives. The major objective of the proposed project is to investigate the response of Polar, Tropical and Temperate microalgae to UVR and temperature stress, with the aim of correlating such physiological traits with their biodiversity in the various geographical regions. This will be done by: 1.Establishing a collection of Arctic microalgae, as an addition to the current collections of Antarctic, Tropical and Temperare microalgae in the University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC). Isolation and purification of microalgae from the Arctic will be conducted. 2.Conducting field studies at the different geographical regions to investigate the response of selected microalgae to UVR stress. 3.Investigating the physiological and biochemical response of the microalgae to environmental stress, with emphasis on photosynthetic response (e.g. carbon fixation, electron transport, enzymes and pigments) and utilization of nutrients (carbon and nitrogen). 4.Investigating the molecular basis of stress adaptation of the microalgae through: a.Identification of genes responsible for stress adaptation by establishing subtractive cDNA library. b.Development of gene probes for stress markers c.Phylogenetic studies to establish molecular fingerprints (e.g. retrotransposon markers) that are important for stress adaptation 5.Investigating the functions and mechanisms of oxidative stress enzymes based on their genomic and proteomic properties.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
One of the main themes of the IPY is “to quantify and understand, past and present environmental and human change in polar regions in order to improve predictions”. The proposed project is in line with this theme as it aims to investigate how polar microalgae respond to climate change, particularly with regards to global warming and increased UVR. The difference in responses of microalgae from polar and lower latitudes will be compared, especially at the molecular level.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project will involve participation of scientists from various universities and polar institutions including Australian Antarctic Division, British Antarctic Survey, Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar Research (Germany), Monash University (Australia), University of Kiel (Germany) and Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (China).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
In our existing project in collaboration with the AAD, the major geographical location for field work is at Casey Station (Windmill Island region). For the proposed project, we plan to extend our study areas to include other Antarctic and Arctic research stations.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: June /08 – August /09            
Antarctic: December /07 – February /08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Berths from collaborating polar institutions. Access of laboratory facilities and field assistance from staff at the research stations.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes. The project will be part of the Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme (MARP) funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia

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?
Expansion
This project is an expansion of our current project on comparing the adaptation of Antarctic, Tropical and Temperate micrcoalgae to UVR and temperature stress.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed mainly by the project leader. The funding and operation of the project will be coordinated with other Malaysian Antarctic research projects by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
There will be training of postgraduate students in polar research. It will promote interest and awareness of the importance of polar research to Malaysia, as a tropical country.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
DatData such as species list and gene sequence data will be available to scientific communities. The list of microalgae isolated from samples collected during our previous expeditions to Casey, Antarctica is currently available in the Metadata Record of the Australian Antarctic Division.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It will be funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
We have been involved extensively in the research on tropical algae for the past 20 years. The experience gained can be applied to the studies on Antarctic algae. We have just started our research on Antarctic algae three years ago in collaboration with the Australian Antarctic Division. The first collection of Malaysian Antarctic microalgae has been established in the University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC). The collection is useful for comparative studies with polar microalgae on the effects of global warming and increased UVR. We have published the following papers based on our research on Antarctic algae: 1.Teoh Ming-Li, Chu Wan-Loy, Harvey Marchant and Phang Siew-Moi (2004) Influence of culture temperature on the growth, biochemical composition and fatty acid profiles of six Antarctic microalgae Journal of Applied Phycology 16 (in press) 2. Wong Chiew-Yen, Chu Wan-Loy, Harvey Marchant and Phang Siew-Moi (2004) Growth response, biochemical composition and fatty acid profiles of four Antarctic microalgae subjected to UV radiation stress Malaysian Journal of Science 23(2): 103 - 118

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Siew-Moi Phang
Institute of Biological Sciences
University of Malaya
Kuala Lumpur
50603
Malaysia

Tel: 603-7967 4610
Mobile:
Fax: 603-7967 4699
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information