Automating Microbial Community Phenotyping within Synthetic Soil Aggregates
EMSL Project ID
60469
Abstract
Microbial hotspots are the sites of nearly all biogeochemical transformations (BGT) in the soil. Unfortunately, the small size (µm to mm) and transient existence (hours to days) of microbial hotspots have forestalled field deployable sensors that could characterize their dynamics. To characterize BGT in the soil requires that we characterize the fluxes from microbial hotspots, and there is currently a need for a new approach for high-throughput microbial hotspot sampling. We propose to use our previously demonstrated 3D-printed synthetic soil aggregates (SSAs) (S&T Dash FY21) as controlled microbial hotspots for high-throughput lab scale characterization. Using SSAs will allow us to probe microbial hotspot processes under conditions of controlled variability. SSAs are a promising platform for studying hotspot dynamics because they replicate the heterogeneous microporous structure of natural soil and allow for downstream multi-omics analyses from a single 2mm sized SSA, a resolution that is not currently possible with natural soils. The primary aim of this work will be to develop a high-throughput method for characterizing microbial community phenotypes within SSAs which will compensate for inherent variability and allow EMSL users to simulate target BGT that occur in microbial hotspots. As a proof-of-concept we will partner with FICUS-user Dr. Marie Kroeger (LANL) to study the hotspot dynamics of plant litter degradation by a defined community of soil microorganisms.
Project Details
Start Date
2022-10-01
End Date
N/A
Status
Active
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members