Identifying and understanding the function and importance of vertically transferred microorganisms within a bioenergy crop microbiome
EMSL Project ID
50791
Abstract
To meet the goals of highly productive and sustainable bioenergy cropping systems, we need to explore all options for improving the efficiency of bioenergy crops, including optimizing the positive relationships between bioenergy crops and indigenous microbial endophytes. In this project we seek to use a novel combination of cutting-edge analytical tools and methods, available only at EMSL in order to identify vertically transferred bacterial endophytes in different Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) cultivars and determine if these vertically transferred bacteria can improve the productivity of their host plant. We will use a combination of cell sorting, deep 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and Confocal, FLIM & Multi-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy to identify and localize bacterial endophytes in seed, shoots and roots of switchgrass. We will use laser capture microdissection (LCM) on cross-sections of seeds or roots and paired nanoPOTS with LC-MS to characterize the proteomes of small concentrations of seed endophytes and plant cells and will perform transcriptomics on isolated seed or root endophytes to explore gene expression and translation in plants and endophytes that impact seed germination and stress tolerance. This work will help in the development and application of plant growth promoting endophytes and provide direction for breeders seeking to optimize the plant microbiome.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2019-10-01
End Date
2021-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Co-Investigator(s)
Team Members