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Project title

Stress induced molecular and ecological changes in soil autotrophs: carbon capture and novel compound prospecting.

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Dublin City University (DCU)

Lead Applicant

Brian Kelleher

Project Abstract

We recently reported that microbial presence in soil organic matter (SOM) far exceeds presently accepted values and that the contribution of micro-organisms in the terrestrial environment and carbon cycling is seriously underestimated. This project will couple powerful analytical techniques that include Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) and advanced NMR, that will to allow us to assess ecological and molecular responses of autotrophic soil microbes to environmental stress and to discern actual microbial contributions to atmospheric CO2 uptake (e.g. photosynthesis). The molecular responses of as yet uncultured microbes to extreme conditions will be investigated to assess potential for use in biotechnology industry. This project is firmly focussed on an extensive research program using recently developed molecular biology techniques to improve the knowledge of soil autotrophic response to stress factors previously not studied although potentially very important for biotechnological application and atmospheric CO2 uptake. Results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific publications and success stories circulated to the media, professional magazines and association newsletters. The uptake of our developed methods through adoption in a wider Irish and EU research context will mean that developed techniques will become the future ?state-of-the-art? for the development of other sustainable bioprocesses.

Grant Approved

�350,041.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sinks, and Management Systems

Start Date

01/09/2008

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/09/2011