Base de données de recherche des TNO

Régions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

étiquettes: permafrost, biology, soil, biodiversity, health care development, bacteria

Objectif(s): The goal of this project is to find new biological products of commercial and medical importance made by bacteria associated with permafrost soils, and to describe the bacterial biodiversity associated with the soils. From biodiversity studies, the discovery of the presence of dozens of new bacterial species is expected, so that a biological indicator for changes that may occur in the permafrost zones can be provided. Hopefully the newly discovered bacteria can provide genes that encode novel enzymes that allow processes to be carried out at lower temperatures, thereby saving energy. The other hope is that some new bacterial species will encode genes that make novel antibiotics that can be used to treat clinically important bacterial diseases.

Description du projet: The goal of this project is to find new biological products of commercial and medical importance made by bacteria associated with permafrost soils, and to describe the bacterial biodiversity associated with the soils. A total of 500 small soil samples will be collected within 200 m. of the Dempster Highway (in undeveloped areas) between Dawson and Inuvik during August 1999. The decisions for the exact location of the collection sites will be made by the field investigator who will look for areas with different types of vegetation, sunlight exposure, and moisture content. Transportation will be by 1/2 ton 4x4 truck. Soil samples will be collected using an auger (or a small garden shovel where the ground is too hard). Care will be taken to ensure the least amount of disturbance to the area. Each sample site will be identified using a GPS receiver.