Research and interest in microbial studies is extensive within the Long Term
Ecological Research (LTER) Network program of the National Science Foundation.
A 1999 document titled "LTER
Research in Microbial Ecology" was compiled to list some of the microbial
ecology interests of the LTER sites. A White Paper on LTER
efforts toward Microbial Observatories was also written in 1999 by a committee
of LTER researchers. Potential collaborations exist with the NSF Center for
Microbial Ecology at Michigan State University.
Potential collaborations include synthesis and cross site comparisons, applying
DNA chip technologies, linking informatics efforts, graduate training and international
research.
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The National Science Foundation, Directorate
for Biological Sciences (BIO), runs the Program on Microbial Observatories.
The long- term goal of this activity is to develop a network of sites
or "microbial observatories" to discover novel microorganisms,
microbial consortia, communities, activities and other novel properties,
and to study their roles in diverse environments. Individual investigators
or teams of investigators are encouraged to develop and conduct research
at a site or habitat dedicated to discovery and study of these novel microbes
over time and across environmental gradients. Development and application
of new experimental approaches to these studies, including the use of
genomic and functional genomic methods, is strongly encouraged. A full
listing of funded Microbial Observatories can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/bio/award.htm#mcb
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There are also LTER related projects funded at sites such as Mono Lake,
led by Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER pi, James Hollibaugh and others -
Web pages at:
http://www.monobasinresearch.org/research/microbial/ and
http://www.monolake.org/newsletter/00winter/21.htm
Web page created April 9, 2004 - John
Vande Castle, U.S. LTER
Network Office |
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