The Marine Biological Laboratory Team employs molecular
techniques to explore how relatively simple organisms and their genomes (compared
to those of metazoans) evolved into more complex forms. Their astrobiology program
goal is to search for novel eukaryote diversity in rarely studied environments,
some resembling conditions possibly existing millions/billions of years ago on
other solar system bodies. Research concerns these general
areas: (1) how multi-member gene families and entire genomes have evolved; (2)
how evolution of the genotype is related to changes in the phenotype; (3) how
processes other than simple mutation influence evolution of life on Earth (e.g.,
endosymbiosis and how microbial lineages have adapted to extreme environments);
and (4) how eukaryotes originated and evolved into complex, multicellular forms.
Research investigations span the levels of individual genes, genomes, cells, populations,
communities, and entire ecosystems. Eukaryotic Origins
and Evolution of Cellular Complexity
A massive evolutionary
expansion of eukaryotes occurred about 1 billion years ago, giving rise to plants,
animals, fungi, and many other protist groups. Research projects investigate evolution
of biological complexity to understand protist group diversity and phylogeny for
all eukaryotes. -
Eukaryotic rRNA Evolution: Early Diverging
Eukaryotes. Use molecular analyses of SSU (small subunit) ribosomal RNA genes of
pelobiont microorganisms (eukaryote group) to determine their phylogenetic and
evolutionary history.
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Evolution of Tubulins. Characterize
tubulin genes from jakobid flagellate organisms to determine their phylogenies
in relation to other early-diverging eukaryotic lineages.
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Eukaryotic
rRNA Evolution: Origins of "Crown Group Taxa". Study the branching pattern of selected
taxa microorganisms using molecular sequence data (full length, large subunit
rRNA sequences) to compile a data set for greater resolution in our phylogenetic
inferences.
Diversity of Eukaryotes in Thermophilic
and Mesophilic Environments Possibly Resembling Early Earth's Biosphere
Characterize
eukaryotic diversity in hydrothermal vent environments with phylogenetic analysis
of 18S rRNA sequences of microbes in upper layer vent sediments (Guaymas Basin,
Gulf of California), to survey biodiversity of extreme habitats on Earth and provide
background for extraterrestrial biosphere hypotheses. Diversity
of Prokaryotes in Thermophilic and Mesophilic Environments Possibly Resembling
Early Earth's Biosphere
Analyze microbial communities in
hydrothermal vent sediments (Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California) by 16S rRNA sequencing
and 13C isotopic analysis of archaeal and bacterial lipids, to add to knowledge
about conditions, life forms, and biodiversity of this ecosystem habitat. Eukaryotic
Diversity in the Rio Tinto: Spain's Acidic/High Metal Extreme Environment
Characterize
full-length, eukaryotic, small-subunit ribosomal RNA molecular samples from several
Rio Tinto sampling stations (including the river source) with summary of results
in a phylogenetic analysis, as a model for Mars life study.
Protist
Diversity in Extreme Environments
Use cultures and genetic
analysis to study protist organisms from deep-sea sediments of the Antarctic,
an understudied ecosystem that may share characteristics with the deep ocean floor
of Europa.
Micro*scope: New Internet Resources for
Microbial Biodiversity
Continue development of a new website,
entitled micro*scope (http://www.mbl.edu/microscope),
an image-rich bioinformatics source to access and identify microbial diversity,
which supports our investigations of biological complexity and expands our outreach
program.
Genes That Regulate Photosymbiotic Interactions
Studies to determine genetic mechanisms behind photosymbiotic
relationships of algae and how this may relate to evolution of organelles, all
to provide insight about how eukaryotic life on Earth evolved.
Relationship
of Genetic Changes to Phenotypic Changes in Organism - Environment Interactions
Investigate how genetic changes produce phenotypic changes:
1) use the genetic basis of spectral tuning in animal color vision as a model
system; 2) determine peptide sequence variations and spectral tuning for vertebrate
opsins, then for arthropod opsins; 3) complete these tasks in order to compare
models across these broad taxonomic groups; and 4) utilize sequence analysis for
linking phenotypic change with genotypic evolution.
Origin
of Life: Evolution of Proteins
Explore the link between
genotype and phenotype evolution through studies of related gene families in E.
coli (biological functions of E. coli genes and gene products), in
order to characterize its basic protein families and build implications for knowing
the entirety of what is required to give life on early Earth.
See Team Research Plan |