Characterizing Viruses in Antarctica
Characterizing viruses in extreme environments may facilitate a better understanding of the role that viruses play in the dynamics and evolution of complex microbial communities. [Read More]
Role of Fungal Endosymbionts in Host Reproduction
Some beneficial plant associated fungi house bacteria inside their cells which impact fungal and plant health. Recent studies show that some fungal endosymbionts manipulate reproduction of their hosts, and may influence plant ecosystems. This project focuses on endosymbionts and fungal reproduction, expanding knowledge on the complexities of microbiome interactions. These fungi are industrially important because they produce valuable lipid products. Our goal is to learn about optimal conditions for fungal health and apply that knowledge to increase crop health and produce alternative energies. [Read More]
Genomic Variation in Mustard Family Metabolism
Studies of genomic variation are critical to developing a synthetic, systems and quantitative understanding of how to improve crops. However, modern short-read methodologies may actually miss the very genes that are critical to adapting crops to new environments or making them healthier. This project will create high-quality genomes of multiple crops and species from the mustard family to test new methods and technologies to ensure that these genes essential for adaptation and improvement are identified. [Read More]
Expanding Metabolic Understanding of C- and S- Cycling Microbes
Is there more biochemistry to be discovered in the microbial world? How universal is biochemistry between distantly related bacteria? A massive amount of microbial genome data exists, yet every new sequence finds genes for which we cannot predict a concrete function. This proposal seeks to combine genomic information with direct detection of metabolites to answer these questions and provide a path for assigning gene functions in two distantly related microbial groups that play key roles in carbon and sulfur cycling in multiple ecosystems across the planet. [Read More]
Fungal Root Endophytes of Soybean
This project investigates fungal root endophytes of the oilseed crop soybean for their potential to deter biotic stresses from root pathogen such as the soybean cyst nematode and the sudden death syndrome fungal root-rot pathogen. [Read More]
Wood Decay by Soft Rot Fungi
This project seeks to ascertain the mechanisms of lignocellulose deconstruction employed by these soft rot fungi. [Read More]
Scaling Microbial Traits From Genomes to Watersheds
Using remote sensing, metagenomics and machine learning, we are building new ways to predict of how plant and microbial metabolism interact to influence biogeochemistry across watersheds in the headwaters of the Colorado River. [Read More]
Mapping Methanogenic Metabolic Networks
Anaerobic digestion (AD) systems produce methane-rich biogas, which can be upgraded and distributed within the existing energy grid. Despite the widespread adoption of AD for waste management and bioenergy generation, the microbial networks driving methane production from organic matter remain poorly constrained, limiting our capacity to predict impacts of process perturbations. Here, we will combine stable isotope and amino acid tracers with genomic sequencing to determine “who is doing what” in AD, with the overall aim of improving biofuel production efficiency from renewable biomass. [Read More]
Grass Genes Regulating Bioenergy Relevant Traits
Grass species have a tremendous potential to be engineered to generate biofuels that can feed our economy. A major challenge has been accessing the energy stored in plants. Purple false brome (Brachypodium distachyon), a wild grass species from the Mediterranean region, is a perfect model for testing novel ways of changing plants to help produce biofuels. In this study, researchers are accessing variation in this species to identify genes that could transform bioenergy crops. These resources are openly shared with the scientific community in order to speed up research and transform society. [Read More]
How Black Fungi Adapt to Extremes
Black fungi spread in diverse extreme environments playing a crucial role by recycling organic matter, enabling nutrient uptake. They are also involved in biogeochemical processes, including rock transformations, bioweathering, mineral formation. The STRES project aims to dig into the genome diversity and metabolites involved in stress response to: i) gain insights into the evolutionary processes allowing black fungi to successfully adapt to extremes; ii) clarify their role in the functioning and balance in extreme-ecosystems; iii) explore the role of melanin in energy processes. [Read More]