Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

GROWING THE “UNCULTURABLE” PYCHROPHILES FROM ANTARCTICA AND ARTIC, AND SCREENING FOR ANTI-MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF THESE BACTERIA  (Screening for Anti-microbial Activities of Pychrophiles from Antarctica)

Outline
Scientists have isolated a wide variety of novel bacteria belonging to the genus Cytophaga, Flavobacterium, and Bacteroides from various stations in Antarctica and Artic. There are also a wide varieties of novel “unculturable” bacteria found in these polar regions based on the DNA isolated from soil and water. These reports suggest that bacteria from the extreme weather are unique and may require special conditions to grow. Hence, we believed that by varying the media, nutrients, salt concentration, pH, and temperatures in the medium, and by varying light intensity and oxygen level, many “unculturable” bacteria may grow. This pool of bacteria may produce some useful compounds which work at low temperature for various applications. Hence, the objectives of this project are; (i) to collect soils and water samples from various locations in the Antarctic and Artic, (ii) to use special conditions to isolate the bacteria and to store them systematically in collection centres for future applications by scientists around the world, (iii) to determine the population of culturable and “unculturable” bacteria from South and North Poles; and (iv) to screen for anti-microbial compounds of these psychrophiles for biotechnology manipulation and applications.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This proposal is in line with the IPY theme #1, priority 3. The work under this proposal aims to compare the numbers of bacteria that can be grown under special conditions and to store them in the culture collection centres. This will increase the genomic resources for scientist around the world to screen for useful compounds especially those with medical significant.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The proposed project is in collaboration with scientist from the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa, India under Dr. Prem Chand Pandey and Shir. T.V.P. Bhaskara Rao

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We have access to the Maitri Station which we have carried out some sampling. However, we would like to expand our sampling sites to include places around the Scott Base, Peninsular of Antarctica and sites in the Artic. The areas of interest are areas free from human activities and areas of natural wildlife habitats.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 12/07 – 03/08            
Antarctic: 12/06 – 03/07      12/07 – 03/08      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Drilling machines that can drill up to 10m below the ice, helicopter to travel to the sampling sites and a laboratory to process the samples

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No new infrastructure will be built. The research work is carried out in the pre-existing stations in Antarctica and Artic. These works are carried out in collaborations with various native polar nations such as India, New Zealand and Australia.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project has been endorsed at national level by the Malaysia Antarctica Research Programme (MARP) governed by the Academy of Science Malaysia. No endorsement at international level yet.

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?


This is an ongoing project funded by the Malaysia Antarctica Research Programme (MARP), and will be expended for the IPY.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project is managed and supported by the Malaysia Antarctica Research Programme (MARP).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The Academy of Science Malaysia has organized a seminar and workshop from the 27-29 June 2005 in University Malaya to highlight the scientific works on Antarctica carried out by scientists in Malaysia under the Malaysia Antarctica Research Programme (MARP). Scientists from other polar nations were invited to give talks and to establish collaborations with the Malaysian scientists.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data and results obtained will be disseminated though reports, scientific proceedings and journals. As for the data of bacteria collections, they will be deposited in the appropriate bacterial database and banks that are accessible by international scientific communities.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project will be funded by National Agency.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
We would like to look for collaborators who would like to carry out project with the same nature or those who are working on bacteria from the polar regions.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Clemente Wong
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah,
Locked Bag 2073, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
88999
Malaysia

Tel: ++6088-320000 ext 5596
Mobile: no
Fax: ++6088-320993
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation