An award has been made to Dr. Gregory Buck of Virginia Commonwealth University for a study of genomic diversity and evolution in the Euglenozoa, a diverse group of microscopic unicellular protists.. The group includes model organisms as well as important human parasites. The evolutionary relationships of these poorly studied unicellular organisms are not well understood. Euglenozoa are micro-organisms of enormous significance to the environment, the economy, and to public health. One group, the trypanosomatids, which are responsible for human and agricultural diseases, have been extensively studied. However, other members of the phylum have only been loosely characterized, and their taxonomic relationships are very poorly defined. In this project, the genomes of five exemplar species will be examined in detail, and a smaller set of genes from each of several hundred strategically selected species of Euglenozoa will be also examined and compared for a broad study of the group. The goal is to use state-of-the-art gene sequencing technologies to elucidate the taxonomic and evolutionary relationships of group. Novel strategies of computational biology will be applied to develop new insights into how the diverse feeding and life history traits of these organisms have evolved.

The project will provide training opportunities for undergraduates, graduate and postdoctoral trainees at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Georgia, and Michigan State University. Students will be recruited for a summer program in bioinformatics and bioengineering to conduct independent research related to this project. High school teachers and students from underrepresented groups will also participate in the program. Three of the senior research personnel on the project are Hispanic. The research on Euglenozoa will be incorporated into several summer workshop programs for high school students, as well as a graduate level course in evolutionary biology.

Project Report

In this project, we have added very significantly to the data set associated with the genomics and phylogenetics of the Phylum Euglenozoa. This phylum is comprised of three important orders: the Kinetoplastida, which include the parasitic disease causing trypanosomes and leishmania, the little known Diplonemida, and the long known but poorly characterized and understood Euglenida. We have sequences the full genomes of nearly 50 of the Kinetoplastida, and performed high throughput analysis of normalized cDNA libraries of the Diplonemida and Euglenida. The genomes of the Kinetoplastida are still being analyzed bioinformatically, as are the cDNA libraries from the other two orders of Euglenozoa. The organisms are at the base of the eukaryotic tree, and therefore provide an insight into early eukaryotic evolution. They are also important parasites of both man and other higher eukaryotes, including plants and invertebrates. They have fascinating complex life cycles requiring appropriate vectors for transmission. The Euglenids are becoming of interest for the development of 'bioenergy' resources. Thus, this relatively unknown group of protista has major impacts on man and the environment. Our project provides a window of insight into their biology, taxonomy and overall impact. As outllined herein, we have generated more data than we can possibly analyze. Therefore, our data is available to other scientists as well. Thus, the collective scientific community can use our data to further our understanding of the basic biology and overall impact of these organisms on human health and the environment.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
Application #
0830056
Program Officer
Simon Malcomber
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2008-09-15
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$2,582,500
Indirect Cost
Name
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Richmond
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
23298