Location
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Student Union Ball Room
Start Date
6-8-2009 9:30 AM
End Date
6-8-2009 12:00 PM
Description
High rates of denitrification have been measured in Nevada geothermal hot springs, but little is known about the thermophiles that contribute to this activity. We hypothesize that heterotrophic bacteria in the genus Thermus are the most important denitrifiers in the springs. Alternatively, other microorganisms including chemolithotrophs may also be important. To test these hypotheses, several different strategies will be used to try to enrich and isolate nitrate-reducing microorganisms. Isolates will be identified by 16S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing. Subsequently, representative isolates will be chosen for nitrate reductase gene (narG) sequencing and for studies on the kinetics of nitrate reduction at high temperature. These data will provide information on how these microorganisms may behave in situ and how their activities may affect nitrogen cycling in the hot springs.
Keywords
Chemolithotrophs; Denitration; Genetic sequencing; Heterotrophic bacteria; Hot springs; Nitrate reducers; Nitrate reductase gene (narG); Nitrogen cycle; Thermophiles; Thermus
Disciplines
Bacteriology | Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology | Genetics
Language
English
Included in
Bacteriology Commons, Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons, Genetics Commons
Exploring diversity of Nitrate reducing thermophiles in Nevada hot springs
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Student Union Ball Room
High rates of denitrification have been measured in Nevada geothermal hot springs, but little is known about the thermophiles that contribute to this activity. We hypothesize that heterotrophic bacteria in the genus Thermus are the most important denitrifiers in the springs. Alternatively, other microorganisms including chemolithotrophs may also be important. To test these hypotheses, several different strategies will be used to try to enrich and isolate nitrate-reducing microorganisms. Isolates will be identified by 16S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing. Subsequently, representative isolates will be chosen for nitrate reductase gene (narG) sequencing and for studies on the kinetics of nitrate reduction at high temperature. These data will provide information on how these microorganisms may behave in situ and how their activities may affect nitrogen cycling in the hot springs.
Comments
Abstract & poster