Award Abstract #0454030
MIP: Analysis of endophytic colonization by Klebsiella penumoniae 342 in wheat

NSF Org:	MCB Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences
Initial Amendment Date:	August 6, 2005
Latest Amendment Date:	March 3, 2008
Award Number:	0454030
Award Instrument:	Continuing grant
Program Manager:	Matthew Kane MCB Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	August 1, 2005
Expires:	July 31, 2010 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$335000
Investigator(s):	Eric Triplett ewt@ufl.edu (Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University of Florida 1 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GAINESVILLE, FL 32611 352/392-3516
NSF Program(s):	MICRO OBS & MICRO INTER & PRO
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	BIOT, 9109
Program Element Code(s):	1089

ABSTRACT

The interior of plants is a vast unexplored habitat for bacteria. Every gram of growing plant tissue on earth is probably home to at least 10,000 bacteria. The contribution of these bacteria to plant growth and development is largely unknown. However, recent evidence shows that one of these bacteria can provide fixed nitrogen to wheat, the most important crop in the world. Further understanding of this nitrogen fixation in wheat may one day permit the elimination of nitrogen fertilization to agronomic grasses in the United States such as corn, wheat, barley, rice, and others. Nitrogen fertilization is very expensive to farmers and pollutes ground water supplies. In this work, the means by which this nitrogen-fixing bacterium enters wheat plants will be determined. The effects of this bacterium on other bacteria present within wheat plants will also be investigated. In addition, the basis of the ability of some bacteria to enter plants better than others will be explored. With this new knowledge, systems may be designed to improve the amount of nitrogen provided by the nitrogen-fixing bacterium to plants so that these systems may one day be applied to agriculture.

This work also has a significant educational component. A national curriculum in microbiology will be prepared for a target audience of 1 million 4H youth nationally. The objective of this effort is to provide science-based information on those issues that are affected by the wide array of bacteria in our environment including emerging diseases, food safety, bioterrorism, water quality, and even climate change. With this curriculum, a large number of American youth will be equipped to make informed decisions on these issues. Over time, this curriculum may also be available to middle schools nationally.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

Drew, J.C. and E.W. Triplett. "Whole genome sequencing in the undergraduate classroom: outcomes and lessons from a pilot course.," Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, v.online, 2007.

Drew, J.C. and E.W. Triplett. "Whole genome sequencing in the undergraduate classroom: outcomes and lessons from a pilot course.," Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, v.9, 2008.

Fouts, D.E., H.L. Tyler, R.T. DeBoy, S. Daugherty, J.H. Badger, A.S. Durkin, R. Dodson, Y. Mohamoud, H. Khouri, C. Struve, K.A. Krogfelt, L.F.W. Roesch, E.W. Triplett, and B.A. Methé.. "Complete genome sequence of the N2-fixing endophyte, Klebsiella pneumoniae and virulence predictions verified in mice.," PLoS Genetics, v.4, 2008, p. e1000141.

Fulthorpe, R.R., L.F.W. Roesch, A. Riva, and E.W. Triplett.. "Distantly sampled soils carry few species in common.," ISME J., v.2, 2008, p. 901.

Kent, A.D., A.C. Yannarell, J.A. Rusak, E.W. Triplett, and K.D. McMahon. "Synchrony in aquatic microbial community dynamics.," ISME Journal, v.1, 2007, p. 38.

Roesch, L.F.W., P.D. de Quadros, F.A.O. Camargo, and Eric W. Triplett. ". Screening of diazotrophic bacteria Azospirillum spp. for nitrogen fixation and auxin production in multiple field sties in southern Brazil.," World. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol., v.23, 2007, p. 1377.

Roesch, L.F.W., P.D. de Quadros, F.A.O. Camargo, and Eric W. Triplett. "Screening of diazotrophic bacteria Azospirillum spp. for nitrogen fixation and auxin production in multiple field sties in southern Brazil.," World. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol., v.23, 2007, p. 1377.

Roesch, L.F.W., R.R. Fulthorpe, A. Riva, G. Casella, A.K.M. Hadwin, A.D. Kent, S. Daroub, F.A.O. Camargo, W.G. Farmerie, and E.W. Triplett. "Pyrosequencing enumerates and contrasts soil microbial diversity.," ISME Journal, v.1, 2007, p. 283.

Shade, A., A.D. Kent, E.W. Triplett, and K.D. McMahon. "Inter-annual dynamics and phenology of bacterial communities in a eutrophic lake.," Limnology and Oceanography, v.52, 2007, p. 487.

Tyler, H.L. and E.W. Triplett.. "Plants as a habitat for beneficial and/or human pathogenic bacteria.," Annual Reviews of Phytopathology, v.46, 2008, p. 55-73.

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