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Publication Date

2024-5

First Advisor

Laura A. Katz

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biological Sciences

Keywords

metabarcoding, metatranscriptomics, microbes, RNA, microbial eukaryotes, biodiversity, marine

Abstract

The majority of eukaryotic diversity is microbial; however, it can be difficult to fully characterize this microbial diversity because many species are currently uncultivable. The use of two molecular techniques: metatranscriptomics and metabarcoding, allows for the characterization of microbial species using water samples directly from their natural environment. This research is critical because microbial eukaryotes are key members of the base of the marine trophic pyramid, so an understanding of their composition at different ocean depths gives important insight into the health of the ecosystem and the availability of prey for larger marine animals. In addition, as ocean temperatures and acidification increase, an understanding of current marine microbial biodiversity is necessary for establishing a baseline to compare future changing compositions of marine organisms. This research aims to illuminate how to characterize active microbes using RNA metabarcoding and how metatranscriptomes from the same samples can be used to identify key gene families involved in the functioning of these microbes. Using water samples collected at seven locations at different ocean depths along the shelf and in blue waters, we are able to use molecular techniques to analyze microbial biodiversity in relation to their location in the water column. Results indicate that there are differences between biodiversity at the surface and deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) in comparison to samples taken at depth. In addition, the use of metatranscriptomics further elucidates the biodiversity of microbes and begins to create an understanding of active gene families for those organisms.

Rights

©2024 Nicole Capozzi. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Comments

80 pages: color illustrations, charts. Includes bibliographical references (pages 60-67).

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