RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The primary goal of this project is to determine the
origin, distribution, and growth physiology of microbial consortia associated
with ice aggregates in Antarctic lakes. Specific objectives include:
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Determine the geographical distribution of lake ice microbial assemblages
in lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys
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Phylogenetically characterize terrestrial, benthic, pelagic, and lake ice
assemblages using 16S rRNA gene cloning and sequencing
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Estimate primary production and growth rates of cyanobacteria and bacteria
associated with ice aggregates
-
Use molecular probes for nitrogenase in concert with acetylene reduction
assays to determine genotypic potential, enzymatic, and physiological expression
of atmospheric nitrogen fixation
-
Measure the influence of products of cyanobacterial photosynthesis on bacterial
activity
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Home Page.
Please direct questions and/or comments to Jay
Pinckney.