Evaluating the Influence of Viruses on the Deep Biosphere Carbon Cycle

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H07489
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Environmental dynamic analysis
• Research Institution: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: PAN Donald 国立研究開発法人海洋研究開発機構, 深海・地殻内生物圏研究分野, ポストドクトラル研究員 (90784851)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-08-26 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: subseafloor / virus / sediment / subsurface

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Subseafloor sediment (200-1200m below seafloor) was collected during IODP Expedition 370 in the Nankai Trough. The sediment biomass was extremely low. Using traditional methods of virus extraction from sediment, it was not possible to find viruses. I developed a new method of virus extraction from sediment that improved extraction by more than 100x. This suggests that there are many more viruses in subseafloor sediment than previously known. In order to obtain higher biomass samples for analysis, subseafloor sediment from another site (offshore Cape Erimo) were obtained by drilling to 100mbsf during Chikyu Expedition 910. Cell extraction for TEM analysis and viral DNA extraction is in progress. An alternative approach was also taken using viruses cultivated from a methanogenic bioreactor which had been initially seeded with subseafloor sediment from offshore Shimokita during IODP Expedition 337. Viral DNA was extracted and sequenced. Bioinformatic analysis is in progress.

Free Research Field

microbiology