The
Global Thermal Inventory
This project aims to further expand on a successful collaborative
project between University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), the Tanzanian
Council on Science and Technology and researchers from Yellowstone
National Park and Montana State University.
Since its 2004 project inception, the Global Thermal Inventory has
built a searchable database ...... project plans to map geothermal
features in Southern Chile and the Kamchatka peninsula for the enhancement
of bio-development, discovery and the preservation of knowledge
of micro organisms that inhabit. These two locations will supplement
data already acquired from Tanzania and Yellowstone National Park.
This information is providing increased knowledge on the diversity
of extremophiles and their habitats around the world. The data collected
has scientific value to industry and academia at large: in particular,
pollution control and medical diagnostics as well as evident grounds
for preserving these rare habitats.
Geothermal
Resource Inventory: We will engage in mapping geothermal
features; extracting aquatic and terrestrial samples; culturing,
isolating, identifying and preserving micro-organisms. In pursuit
of these objectives the research will promote capacity building
and have minimal environmental impact as well as focus on the conservation,
sustainable use and management of these biological resources.
The project will involve collaborative research between foreign
and American molecular biologists and foster long-term working relationships.
From 2003-2006 we trained Tanzanian university students in microbiological
techniques, thermopile culturing approaches, molecular phylogenetic
analyses, and spatial data acquisition and storage. We have also
provided scholarships to one Russian and three Tanzanian graduate
students to study micro-biology and information technology at US
Universities.
Significance:
Over the past two decades, studies of the diversity of micro-organisms
living in extreme ecosystems (extremophiles) have challenged our
view of the limits and extent of life on Earth. These extremophile
studies have yielded discoveries of new lineages of life, revealed
new metabolic pathways, and identified unusual viruses - all of
which have implications for our understanding of life on Earth and
elsewhere. Moreover, these discoveries have led to the appreciation
by industry that extremophiles have some of the greatest potential
for commercial applications, and in particular fueling much of today’s
biotechnological revolutions. These discoveries have attracted Tanzanian
scientists to undertake research through collaboration with experienced
institutions on extremophile diversity in Tanzania to create a base
for discovery of microbes with potential applications.
Phase
II requires funding to map extremophile habitats throughout Chile
and on the Kamchatka pennisula. Our data constitutes the worlds
most comprehensive and detailed inventory of the world’s geothermal
locations and their microbiological characteristics. The international
community of extremophile researchers are using our information
to plan research and make enormous discoveries.
This
collaborative project is seeking $500,000 to fund equipment purchases,
travel, mapping and survey work, training, and researcher stipends.
We
invite your participation in our global microbiology research.
For
Further Information, please contact William Fischer, Executive Director
650-862-7361
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