Our research involved enrichment culture samples collected from Lake Bonney in Antarctica. From these sample cultures our research group conducted two separate experiments: how does heat treatment affect the growth, physiology, and diversity of the microbial communities?, and are the isolated bacteria from these samples psychrophilic or psychrotolerant? For the first research project, OD600, countess, and Fv/Fm measurements were collected at time zero and after the completion of the heat temperature stress. From there, we amplified both 16S and 18S rRNA via PCR, performed next generation sequencing, and conducted phylogenetic analysis to analyze the results. For the second research project, multiple streaks were conducted to ensure that unique colonies were isolated. They were then incubated at 20°C and 4℃ to test for psychrophily. From there, dipstick DNA isolation as well as 16S isolation were conducted followed by Sanger sequencing to identify the isolated samples. The results of the first research project revealed that while heat application prevents growth of the cells within the culture, it also had effects on PSII which decreased the photochemical yield within the culture samples. While neither bacteria, nor eukarya experienced significant differences in abundances between treatment or control groups, there was an increase of bacterial species from the control to treatment groups. Regarding the second research project it was found from the results that the majority of the microbes isolated from the Lake Bonney enrichment culture were psychrotolerant. This project has introduced us to various new laboratory techniques that will be important skills for a future career in research. Additionally, we engaged with software tools to learn more about the analytical aspects of ecological research.
Authors: Allison Brown, Cameron Robatin
Faculty Advisor: Rachael Morgan-Kiss, Microbiology
Graduate Student Advisor: Chandra Mani Kafle, Microbiology
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