Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Biological and functional diversity of microbial communities in ecologically distinct polar environments  (Biological and functional diversity of microbial communities in ecologically distinct polar environments)

Outline
This project aims to analyse the diversity of microbial communities, with emphasis on prokaryote, in sites which appear to be ecologically distinct from one another, e.g. penquin rookeries, dry inland soils, moss and lichens environments (protected areas, relatively undisturbed) and oil spill and former waste dump sites (areas impacted by human activities). For this purpose, we plan to employ molecular biology techniques which include extraction of genomic DNA from environmental samples, amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragment by polymerase chain reaction, cloning of fragments, sequencing and identification from GenBank data. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis will be used to fingerprint communities and to detect spacio-temporal variation. The environmental parameters of each study site will be measured, e.g. temperature, humidity, light intensity, pH, salinity, organic and inorganic components of the soil/sediment. The microbial diversity will be correlated with the physical and chemical properties of a study site to assess the ecological role of the microbes. The data generated may support or dispel notions of microbial communities (e.g. ubiquity of species) and their roles in sites perceived to be ecologically distinct, e.g. maritime and terrestrial sites, undisturbed and impacted sites. Microbial communities at different latitudes, and at Antarctic and arctic sites could also be compared. Conventional microbial techniques will be used to isolate and obtain pure cultures of microorganisms and screen them for various properties such as the ability to produce industrially-useful compounds or the ability to degrade environmental pollutants. Polar microbes with desirable traits will be studied in detail, e.g. physiological properties, environmental and nutritional requirements. These strains may be compared with non-polar (temperate and tropical) species having analogous abilities.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project aims to add to current databases more information of natural prokaryote and eukaryote communities in selected polar sites. Descriptive data of the study sites will be documented and will be correlated with the biological diversity to derive the functional role of the microbial communities. Changes in these communities, over short to medium timescales, will be identified by repeating protocols at the selected sites in consecutive years, and linked with environmental parameters. Bacterial isolates will be screened for synthesis of industrially-useful products such as polyhydroxyalkanoates and biosurfactants which offer the potential of comparing the physiological and genetic characteristics of Antarctic bacteria with temperate and tropical bacterial strains having analogous capabilities.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme (MARP) British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) Indian National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Protected, relatively undisturbed sites around Signy and Rothera stations (BAS), Casey station (AAD) and Maitri station (Indian Antarctic Programme). We hope to develop links with Arctic research groups, possibly through the SCAR RiSCC/EBA network, to identify and establish study sites in the arctic region.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: Dec 2005 to Feb 2006      Dec 2006 to Feb 2007      Dec 2007 to Feb 2008

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Access to research stations with appropriate field sites, e.g. Signy and Rothera (BAS), Casey (AAD) and Maitri (India). Hagglunds, zodiacs and helicopters to travel to study sites. Field equipment to measure GPS, temperature, humidity, pH, salinity. Soil DNA extraction kits, gradient thermocycler, microcentrifuge, gel documentation system, laminar flow hood, -80°C freezer, shaker-incubator, gas chromatograph, spectrophotometer, atomic absorption spectrometer, water deioniser, oven, Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis instrument.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No new structures such as buildings, labs or huts will be built in the polar regions but additional equipment for field and lab studies may be transported to the stations with permission from the hosts, and will be removed at the end of the studies.

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

The Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme will support research carried out in Malaysia and transport of researchers to the “jump-off” points of the respective host, e.g. Falklands or Chile for travel to Signy and Rothera. Logistic support from the hosts (BAS, AAD, Indian Antarctic Programme) will be requested for transport to and accommodation at the stations. Field support and laboratory facilities are also requested from the hosts.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes at national level, by the Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme.

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 proposal builds on preliminary studies at Casey station where soil and lake sediment samples were collected from ecologically-different sites. We aim to develop these studies at Casey and elsewhere by (1) developing and defining collaborations between the Malaysian national programme and those of other national operators, and (2) developing an advice and mentoring network involving experienced polar scientists in order to develop deliverable projects.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project will be coordinated by a Chief Investigator involving a team of three scientists and three graduate students, one of whom is currently in Maitri. We hope to interest more graduate students and also postdoctoral researchers to join this project. This project is part of the Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme which is managed by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) with funding from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. ASM vets all project proposals and monitors progress by way of meetings and reports from researchers. The Chief Investigator of each project prepares the annual budget, makes sure work is on track and submits an annual report of activities and findings. Building on our currently limited experience of Antarctic operations, we now aim to establish a well-defined collaboration with relevant groups within BAS, AAD and the Indian Antarctic Programme, formalised through an MOU if appropriate. We hope to establish other collaborative links through networks such as the SCAR-RiSCC grouping. While the studies in this proposal will be primarily undertaken by researchers from the University of Malaya, we look to our experienced collaborators for advice on experimental designs and training on analytical techniques and field work. Therefore, exchange visits between Malaysian researchers and their collaborators from other nations will be encouraged.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The University of Malaya is organising a seminar and workshop in June 2005 to highlight the activities and research findings of its staff and students and to invite foreign scientists to elaborate on the IPY and to establish collaboration. Our target audience includes the media, decision-makers at government departments, and especially university students and school children. In 2006, MARP will be organising the 3rd Malaysian International Seminar on Antarctica.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
As data is generated by collaborative efforts between Malaysian scientists and their collaborators, it will be submitted to the Academy of Sciences Malaysia as well as to the collaborators’ national programmes, i.e. BAS, AAD and the Indian Antarctic Programme. Conference presentations and publications will be authored by all contributing persons. Intellectual Property issues will be defined in respective MOUs. Metadata and data (e.g. sequences) will be deposited in recognised databases.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation provides funding through annual grants, managed by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. This covers research carried out in Malaysia, and short visits to other host countries. We are planning a long-term collaboration with BAS and the other national programmes, through which we will gain regular access to their Antarctic stations. The Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme is aware of the financial and other implications of such long-term collaboration, and is in talks with the government on this. In the shorter term (next two years), BAS has indicated willingness to support Malaysian researchers to initiate studies at Signy and Rothera stations, subject to the normal assessments of proposal quality and availability of logistic resources.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Irene Kit-Ping Tan
Institute of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Science
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
50603
Malaysia

Tel: 60-3-79676792
Mobile: no
Fax: 60-3-79674178
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation