NAI
2008 Annual Science Report
Pennsylvania State University
Reporting | JUL 2007 – JUN 2008
Laboratory Microbial Simulations: Astrobiological Signatures
Project Summary
We aim to use laboratory and field environments to investigate microorganisms and their biogeochemical signatures. We have investigated methanotrophic seeps and deeply-buried marine environments, as well as used laboratory pure-cultures to further our understanding of diverse metabolisms.
Project Progress
This past year we had very important papers published on a number of different topics. The following are examples. We showed that cyanobacteria have a distinct nitrogen isotopic signature when exposed to high Fe concentrations, a condition that might occur during ocean anoxic events (published in JGR). We showed that Methanosarcina can grow by producing methyl-sulfides (published in AEM). We presented a new model for how the anaerobic oxidation of methane might operate (published in Environmental Microbiology). We published a paper on the metagenomic signatures of microbial life in the marine subsurface (published in PNAS).
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PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
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PROJECT MEMBERS:
Jennifer Biddle
Collaborator
Jim Moran
Collaborator
Aubrey Zerkle
Collaborator
Zhidan Zhang
Research Staff
Emily Beal
Doctoral Student
Vyllinniskii Cameron
Doctoral Student
Libby Hausrath
Doctoral Student
Amanda Klingensmith
Doctoral Student
Beth Bauman
Graduate Student
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RELATED OBJECTIVES:
Objective 2.1
Mars exploration
Objective 4.1
Earth's early biosphere
Objective 5.1
Environment-dependent, molecular evolution in microorganisms
Objective 5.2
Co-evolution of microbial communities
Objective 5.3
Biochemical adaptation to extreme environments
Objective 7.1
Biosignatures to be sought in Solar System materials
