ExoArid

Microbial Functional and Evolutionary Adaptations to Aridity (ExoArid)


Faculty Advisor/PI: Dr. Christopher E. Carr

Dates: January 2022 (at Georgia Tech) to January 2025

Current Status: Completed

Collaborators: Co-Is: Dr. Rachel A. Moore (Georgia Tech), Alexandra Pontefract (APL), Ralf Moeller (DLR), Jens Boy (Hannover University), Armando Azua-Bustos (Center of Astrobiology, CSIC). Collaborators: Diana Boy (Hannover University).

Our project integrates a natural experiment aridity transects in the Atacama Desert, Chile—and lab-based characterization to investigate the mechanisms through which organisms adapt to aridity (see figure) and attempt to disentangle the noted association of xerotolerance with IR resistance. We propose to build on prior systematic sampling along variable aridity transects in the Atacama, including extensive prior characterization of soil parameters, ribosomal (16S) community characterization, and cultivation work. First (1a), we propose to provide a comprehensive view of microbial community structure, function, and activity along these transects. Second (1b), we will confirm aridity-associated responses and in situ activity via a focused field study. We will (2a) refine mechanisms of xerotolerance using isolate studies and (2b) disentangle xerotolerance and IR resistance, integrating genomic, transcriptomic, physical, chemical, and physiological responses.

Publications:

Moore RA, Azua-Bustos A, González-Silva C, Carr CE. Unveiling metabolic pathways involved in the extreme desiccation tolerance of an Atacama cyanobacterium. Scientific Reports 2023 Sep 22;13(1):15767. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-41879-8. PMID: 37737281; PMCID: PMC10516996. Preprint: ResearchSquare 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3079482/v1.

Moore RA, Boy D, Boy J, Horn M, Guggenberger G, Azua-Buston A, and Carr CE. Atmospheric chemosynthesis may enable colonization of the driest place on Earth. Nov 11, 2024. Preprint: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5241557/v1

Moore RA and Carr CE. Microbial habitability of the early Mars lacustrine environment sustained by iron redox cycling. Sept 7, 2021. Preprint: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.07.459191v1

Fernanders MS, Gough RV, Chevrier VF, Boy D, Boy J, Carr CE, Tolbert MA. Water Uptake and Release of Nitrate Salt Mixtures of Relevance to the Atacama Desert and Mars. ACS: Earth and Space Chemistry 8(9):1700-1712 (2024). 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00371. With Cover Art.

Presentations:

Moore RA, Boy D, Boy J, Azua-Bustos A, Carr CE. Ultra-low Biomass Metagenomics across the Hyperarid Core of the Atacama Desert. 19th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME), August 18-23, 2024, Cape Town, South Africa (abstract & poster/talk).

Rachel A. Moore and Christopher E. Carr. Integrating Genome-Scale Metabolic Models with Astrobiological Context. Astrobiology Science Conference, 15-20 May 2022, Atlanta, GA (abstract and talk).

Fernanders Marium S, Gough RV, Chevrier VF, Boy D, Boy J, Carr CE, Tolbert MA. Salts of the Earth: Water Uptake and Release by Salt Mixtures Relevant to the Atacama Desert. Astrobiology Graduate Conference (abgradcon.org) 2023, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, May 22-25, La Jolla CA (poster and talk).

Funding: Supported by NASA Exobiology awards 80NSSC19K0469 (MIT) and 80NSSC22K0189 (Georgia Tech) to C.E.C.

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