PI(s): Richard Allen White III (Lead PI), Pieter Visscher (Co-I, UConn). We will link viral properties, activity and viral-encoded genes to microbial host metabolism, its exopolymeric matrix and biogeochemistry in the transition from non-lithified microbial mat to lithified microbialite. The profound impact modern microbialites (i.e., stromatolites and thrombolites) have as the ‘sign-posts’ of life on Earth requires a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of their formation to link contemporary biotic (including viral) processes to the geological record.
Read morePI(s): Richard Allen White III (Lead PI), Maren L Friesen (Co-I, WSU), Lisa Tiemann (Co-I, MSU), Sarah Evans (Co-I, MSU). Viruses are highly abundant and play key roles in global biogeochemistry. This project will connect the virome and microbiome to nitrogen cycling in perennial bioenergy cropping systems on marginal lands. The project will leverage an existing field experiment with time-series sampling of the switchgrass rhizosphere. The project will test hypotheses linking nutrient cycling to viral lifestyle, and hypotheses about trade-offs between host growth rate and resistance to infection. Understanding viruses in the rhizosphere will allow better management of the microbiome for sustainability.
Read morePI(s): Alex Dornburg, co-PIs: Richard Allen White III. Efforts are underway to suppress the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 through widespread vaccination. However, it is clear that the virus will not be eradicated. Reservoir populations of SARS-CoV-2 will provide the opportunity for additional reinfection and outbreaks even after vaccination. Preventing such resurgences requires prediction of when SARS-CoV-2 will rebound and how much infection to expect, both of which remain unknown. This uncertainty surrounding the future of SARS-CoV-2 stymies actionable vaccination policy to mitigate against widespread infection.
Read morePI(s): Cory Brouwer (PI), Richard Allen White III (Co-I, UNCC). Omics technologies are revolutionizing scientific research, health care and the world. It has become easy to screen the whole genome, transcriptome or metabolome for individual human being and living organisms. These omics profiles enable personalized/precision medicine, and make it possible to solve complex biological problems (aging, brain function etc) or diseases (cancers, obesity etc). However, it remains a major challenge to effectively analyze and interpret these big and complex datasets. The PI's group recently developed the Pathview tool set to map omics data onto molecular pathways (or fundamental biochemical or cellular processes). This project will fully develop Pathview as a systematic solution for omics data visualization, integration and analytics based on pathways. In addition, the whole research community will have open access to this tool and future development. Pathview has generated a global impact within a short time. As an open source project, Pathview not only creates a big user base (tens of thousands) directly, but also fosters a community of dependent projects. Pathview has been adopted by numerous courses in major research institutions and online tutorials. The Pathview project also recruits and trains students and developers and prepare them for careers in the STEM fields. Beyond academia, Pathview is widely used in hospitals, biotech, pharmaceutical and agriculture industry. With this NSF award, the next iteration of the Pathview software will have much deeper and broader impacts.
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