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Plataforma de Apoio a Gestão Estratégica - PAGE/UCB
Projeto: Exploring Antarctic mosses genomes and their response to abiotic stresses
| Coordenador(a): | MARCELO HENRIQUE SOLLER RAMADA  |
| Vigência: | 01/11/2023 a 31/10/2026 |
| Situação: | Ativo |
| Programa/Curso: | Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia - Stricto Sensu |
| Agência: | Joint Genome Institute |
| Edital: | Convênio Joint Genome Institute - 2023 |
| Chamada | convênio Joint Genome Institute - JGI |
Resumo:
| Mosses are present in all biomes, including Antarctica, as these organisms make up most of the Antarctic macroflora. Despite their success in thriving in different biomes and their evolutionary importance for all land plants, these organisms represent a neglected and rarely explored group regarding their genome, biochemistry, biotechnological potential, and natural cycle importance when compared to phanerogams. As an initiative to change this scenario, the present proposal aims to sequence the genome of 10 moss species that thrive in the Antarctic Continent. These mosses represent an under-sampled area of the plant phylogeny and are redesigning East Antarctica’s landscape as seasonal ice-free areas have been increasing in recent years as climate changes. These genome sequencing can be performed from axenic cultured mosses or from lyophilized samples obtained from Antarctica, as the latter can also lead to commensal microorganisms DNA sequencing. Although this is not a primary goal, commensal DNA sequencing is interesting to understand associate microbiota, which is important for mosses` ability to survive such harsh conditions and understand their importance for carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and climate change. Nevertheless, we would discuss with JGI plant division the best source for DNA sequencing as the primary goal is to obtain high-quality DNA for reference genomes. Aside from genome sequencing, we aim to evaluate transcripts and metabolites produced by the ten species when covered by ice during early summer (November) and when exposed to high UV radiation during late summer (Mid-January to early February) to assess their differences under different abiotic stresses. For transcripts sequencing, we envision three RNA-seq libraries for each moss sampled directly from Antarctica (three biological replicates for each period for two years, 120 samples in total). The same samples used for RNA-seq libraries preparation would be used for metabolite extraction. Metabolite extraction will be performed using a mixture of Chloroform/MeOH/Water, yielding 120 polar and 120 non-polar phase samples. It is noteworthy that we are aware of problems related to environmental sampling for RNA-seq and metabolite analyses. Therefore, abiotic stresses (e.g., icy conditions and lack of light) could be simulated in our laboratory to obtain RNA and metabolites under controlled conditions. We would like JGI support with the assembly, annotation, and metabolite identification as we do not have enough computational power and a solid bioinformatic background as JGI’s plant team does. Additionally, we would like to collaborate with the JGI plant staff in interpreting and discussing the obtained data so we can have new insights and publish better manuscripts. The JGI excellency due to their facilities and staff knowledge are some reasons why we are submitting this proposal to the CSP Annual Call. Moreover, we believe it cannot be performed elsewhere due to the Brazilian Real (BRL) devaluation and severe science budget cuts over the last four years that have impacted many groups. We cannot afford to use commercial services and cannot explore the Antarctic region as much as we would like. Therefore, we believe that with the JGI support we can achieve what we envision. These combined omics approaches would be a huge step forward for the plant community allowing us to understand their genetic information, their evolutionary relationship to other species, and their responses to their environment. |
Equipe:
Orçamento Aprovado:
| Serviço de Terceiros | R$ 1.980.000,00 |
| Valor Total | R$ 1.980.000,00 |