SNOWGIANTS- Exploring the Giant Viruses of Snow and Ice Algal Blooms and their Biotechnological Potential

Descripción del proyecto

Virus gigantes en la nieve del Ártico

El cambio climático altera los ecosistemas polares y alpinos al modificar las superficies de nieve y hielo debido a la proliferación de algas, que a su vez afectan el ciclo de nutrientes. Sin embargo, el papel que desempeñan los virus gigantes en estos ecosistemas aún no está claro. En el proyecto SNOWGIANTS, financiado por las acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, se investigarán los virus gigantes asociados a la proliferación de algas de nieve en entornos árticos. El proyecto tiene como objetivo descubrir nuevos genomas víricos mediante análisis metagenómicos y metatranscriptómicos de alto rendimiento, estudiar las interacciones virus-hospedador e identificar enzimas víricas adaptadas al frío con potencial biotecnológico. Se espera descubrir al menos cincuenta nuevos genomas de virus gigantes y caracterizar diez enzimas nuevas con posibles aplicaciones industriales. Estos hallazgos mejorarán la comprensión de los virus en los ecosistemas microbianos polares y promoverán la innovación biotecnológica.

Objetivo

Climate change is transforming polar and alpine ecosystems, significantly affecting snow and ice surfaces through microbial activities like algal blooms. Snow algal blooms not only alter surface reflectivity but also play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and microbial community dynamics. However, the role of viruses, particularly giant viruses, in these ecosystems remains poorly understood. This project aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the diversity, ecology, and metabolic potential of giant viruses associated with snow algal blooms in Arctic environments.
The primary objectives of this project are to (1) uncover novel giant virus genomes through high-throughput metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses, (2) characterize virus-host interactions and their role in biogeochemical processes, and (3) identify cold-adapted viral enzymes with potential biotechnological applications. This will be achieved through a combination of field sampling, next-generation sequencing, advanced bioinformatics pipelines, and laboratory-based enzyme characterization techniques.
The expected outcomes include the discovery of at least 50 novel giant virus genomes and the characterization of 10 novel enzymes with industrial potential. These findings will advance our understanding of viral roles in polar microbial ecosystems and unlock new possibilities for biotechnological innovations.
This Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship at Nord University will be instrumental in my development as an independent researcher in environmental virology and biotechnology. It will enhance my skills in cryosphere microbiology, advanced genomics, and enzyme characterization, while fostering my abilities in project management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and science communication. The project's unique blend of basic and applied research will position me at the forefront of an emerging field with significant scientific and societal implications.