Chemosynthetic Symbioses:  Biodiversity, Biogeography, and Genomics

Colleen Cavanaugh, Harvard University

Symbiosis between microbial and eukaryotic cells is a globally important phenomenon that has powerful effects on the physiology, ecology, and evolution of all living organisms.  An outstanding example is that of mitochondria and chloroplasts arising from bacteria that became established intracellularly in primitive single-cell organisms 1-2 billion years ago.  Given the remarkable metabolic diversity of Bacteria and Archaea, it is not surprising that modern partnerships occur widely in nature, expanding the potential ecological niches and metabolic capabilities of the host-symbiont combinations.  Symbiotic associations with chemoautotrophic bacteria and animals have enabled these partnerships to colonize and thrive in the otherwise hostile environment of deep-sea hydrothermal vents, providing the foundation for the entire ecosystem.  Analogous to chloroplasts in plants, but using reduced sulfur as the energy source instead of sunlight, these symbioses have also evolved widely in shallow anoxic sediments.  

Chemosynthetic symbioses provide a “natural classroom” for undergraduates, with exposure to the breadth of microbial sciences from geology and geochemistry to biochemistry and genomics.  Research opportunities include activities ranging from virtual deep-sea dives to hands-on studies of deep-sea specimens and live shallow water models - including the potential discovery of new symbioses.  Recent symbiosis studies in my laboratory will be highlighted as examples including genomics of unculturable symbionts, biogeography, and the hunt for “wild” (free-living) forms with emphasis on undergraduate teaching and research opportunities.  The ecological and evolutionary potential in these partnerships, effectively resulting in a "new organism", charges us to think about biodiversity on a different level.

Undergraduate Involvement in Genomics & Bioinformatics-Now is the Time

Brad Goodner, Hiram College

Cheryl Kerfeld, Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute

Tuajuanda Jordan, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

The amount of genomic sequence currently available and the rapidly dropping cost of obtaining more sequence has led to an avalanche of unfinished draft genomes awaiting closure, draft and closed genomes awaiting in-depth annotation, and genomes ready to be linked to functions through experimentation.  The beauty of this moment is that undergraduate education is well situated to integrate genomics and bioinformatics into our curricula as well as have our students generate novel data themselves.  This session will highlight two national efforts that are looking for participants.

The Department of Energy’s Joint Genome Institute (JGI) is developing tools to enable undergraduates to participate in genomics research through microbial genome annotation.  This is part of the JGI’s effort to create The Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea.  Our goal is to have undergraduate institutions “adopt a microbe” for genome annotation; the experience can be embedded in multiple courses across the life sciences curriculum.  This session will provide ideas about how to integrate annotation into existing courses and the development of research courses that will enable your students to participate. 

The Science Education Alliance (SEA; www.hhmi.org/grants/sea ) is a new endeavor of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute focused on enhancing science education by networking scientists and educators across the country.  The first project of the SEA is a national experiment entitled the Phage Genomics Research Initiative.  This endeavor targets undergraduate freshmen and sophomores; exposes them to the process of doing science; places the authentic research experience within their curriculum in the form of a research-based laboratory course; and exposes them to techniques used in microbiology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.  Additionally, faculty are trained in all of the techniques and provided with the resources necessary for successful implementation of the course in a variety of academic settings.  Dr. Jordan will present information regarding the development, implementation, and challenges associated with launching this major initiative and invite feedback from the meeting participants.

How the Media Mangles Genetics

Ricki Lewis, Fellow, Alden March Bioethics Institute at Albany Medical Center

●Stem cells magically morph into “every kind of cell.”

●People have their very own genetic codes, even though it is the universality of the code that makes much of biotechnology possible.

●Population data are being used to market health tests to individuals – without validation or oversight.

When the media oversimplify, hype, or otherwise misrepresent genetics, effects range from science illiteracy to uninformed or even dangerous health care decisions. With several companies now offering whole-genome SNP analyses and other variations on the “$1,000 genome” theme and bloggers disseminating information on genetics without benefit of editors, it is more important than ever that the media get the message right. This talk will discuss the types of errors made in reporting on genetics topics, how to help your students become informed citizens, and how to talk about genetics to journalists. As a science writer and scientist, Ricki Lewis provides insight into the challenges of communicating science in general, and genetics in particular.

The Global Threat from Antibiotic Resistance

Stuart B. Levy, Tufts University School of Medicine

Today, throughout the world, clinicians and patients confront a mounting health problem.  Bacteria of all types no longer succumb to the antibiotics chosen to treat and control them. To make matters worse, most bacteria causing disease are resistant not just to one, but to many different antibiotics. There are certain bacterial isolates which no longer respond to any antibiotic, making these particular strains untreatable.  This is a far cry from the situation 10-15 years ago when we had in our armamentarium many effective antibacterial drugs.  Drug resistance is an ecologic phenomenon; antibiotic use anywhere - home, hospital, farm - impacts bacteria sharing that environment.  Antibiotics are, in fact, societal drugs: individual use affects members of the same family, community and society.  Thus antibiotic resistance becomes a societal issue that needs to be addressed from different levels. The Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics, an international organization with local chapters in sixty countries, advocates the appropriate use of antibiotics and develops policies to improve drug use and accessibility globally. Local, national and international efforts are necessary to curtail the misuse of antibiotics. There is also a need to discover new ones. Antibiotics are a resource that should not be squandered.   Education on the appropriate use of antibiotics and the problem of resistance should begin in the high schools and continue into undergraduate institutions. It is critical that respect be given when prescribing and using these major therapeutics.