Geomicrobiology WORKSHOP for area teachers 2005

Real Jurassic Park: Summer 2005 Workshop: WELCOME: 

Real Jurassic Park: Summer 2005 Workshop: WELCOME Tim Lowenstein, Michael Timofeeff, Brian Schubert and Jay Sarton Department of Geological Sciences Binghamton University Sponsored by NSF Biogeosciences Program

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Origin of life on Earth and other parts of the solar system (universe) is the most important scientific problem today. First life on Earth- 3-4 Ga, microscopic bacteria.

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Prokaryotes (simplest single-celled organisms, lacking nucleus and organelles) include Bacteria and Archaea. Eukaryotes have a membrane-enclosed nucleus and organelles, and include protists, plants, fungi, and animals.

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One part of the origin of life problem is understanding the long-term survival and preservation of organisms. Life on Mars Panspermia: meteorites transfer life Survival during crises

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Isolation of a 250 million-year-old halotolerant bacterium from a primary salt crystal Crystal that produced the halotolerant bacterium Vreeland, Rosenzweig & Powers Nature, V. 407 (2000).

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What is a fluid inclusion? A small cavity in a crystal filled with the water from which the mineral formed.

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Why are fluid inclusions in halite targets for ancient microorganisms and their DNA? They are low in O2 Organisms will not dehydrate. Protection from light. BUT- radioactive decay can damage cells.

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We are studying preservation of microorganisms in fluid inclusions in salt from modern environments and from cores that are 103 to 106 years old.

Culturing microorganisms from fluid inclusions in halite: Saline Valley: 

Culturing microorganisms from fluid inclusions in halite: Saline Valley Modern halite crust 1 year old Saline Valley halite crust 10 year old Saline Valley halite crust

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Molecular Biological approach: purify, amplify and sequence DNA molecules

Age Dating: 

Age Dating Death Valley: 12 U-Th Dates Ranging from 192 ka to 9.6 ka

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Paleoenvironment: Perennial Saline Lake

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Surface sterilize crystals in base, acid, then dissolve salt crystals in water- any organisms and DNA is now in solution. Plate out part of solution to see whether organisms grow on media. Purify DNA from remaining solution. Amplify DNA using Polymerase Chain Reaction. DNA is then separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA is sequenced and compared to the other organisms. PROCEDURES

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Cultured microorganisms from the Death Valley core- fluid inclusions in halite Sample: 42.5DV Core Depth 13 m Age: ~21,000 years Sample: 58.8DV Core Depth 18 m Age: ~ 35,000 years

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Molecular Biological approach: purify, amplify and sequence DNA molecules

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2. Halomonas 3. Death Valley 10 ka 5. Control 1. Standard Agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR amplification Conclusion: DNA survived in fluid inclusion for 10,000 years

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16S rDNA from 2-9-3 differs from modern halophile by too few base pairs to match evolution expected over 250 Ma.

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Policeman Reggie Bailey with the Monahans meteorite

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4.56 Ga Halite from Monahans (H5) Meteorite

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Primordial Water? Aqueous Fluid Inclusion in Halite from Monahans Meteorite