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February 24, 2006 Members of the Kamchatka Microbial Observatory Visit COMB to Share New Research Hypotheses  
(1st photo: (from left) Dr. Frank Robb, Dr. Douglas Crowe, UMBI President Dr. Jennie Hunter-Cevera, and Dr. Juergen Wiegel who presented in the meeting. 2nd photo: Researcher Betsy Jackson collecting a microbial sample at a borehole discharging superheated volcanic fluids.)
Baltimore, MD-In 1995, a group of scientists met at a workshop in Yellowstone National Park and began to forge the framework for an international and interdisciplinary group of microbiologists, geologists and geochemists to seek National Science Foundation (NSF) funding to find novel microorganisms living in extreme environments. Kamchatka, Russia, a vast subarctic geothermal area with 33 active volcanoes, was to be their research lab. In the year 2000, scientists from the University of Georgia, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Portland State and the Russian Academy of Sciences were funded by the NSF to explore the pristine Uzon Caldera on the Russian Peninsula of Kamchatka. Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffman, Cornell University, was the head of the outreach program. Their project: to study the unique, pristine geothermal systems and to isolate novel microorganisms, including those that oxidize carbon monoxide and can be used in a variety of industrial processes, such as paper production, food production and pharmaceuticals. The hot springs of Uzon Caldera offer a vast assembly of diverse microorganisms, which have the ability to survive at extreme temperatures. Indeed, the Kamchakta Microbial Observatory has identified a number of new, previously unknown bacteria and archaea as a result of this four-year research program. Studies continue on these microorganisms and on the chemistry of the hot springs to better understand the geochemistry and mineralogy of these hot springs. In this environment, the microbial communities respond to small temperature and chemical changes and provide access to many previously unknown microorganisms. Currently, 15 scientists from this interdisciplinary group are meeting in Baltimore to share their research findings and determine the next steps to be taken by this consortium. On Friday, February 24, 2006, Drs. Douglas Crowe and Juergen Wiegel from the Departments of Geology and Microbiology at the University of Georgia provided an overview of the Kamchatka Microbial Observatory to faculty and staff at UMBI’s Center of Marine Biotechnology. Also in the audience was the Director of the Education Online Network from San Francisco’s Exploratorium, Noah Wittman. Located at the Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is a museum of science, arts and human perception. The museum staff hopes to create a website to correspond with this research project and provide children and curious adults with learning tools. The museum’s website currently receives more than 20 million visitors annually.
The team members at COMB, including Frank Robb, Albert Colman and Stephen Techtman, have found evidence of microorganisms widespread in volcanic environments capable of using the poisonous gas, carbon monoxide, as their energy source. ### Celebrating our 20th anniversary year, UMBI is Maryland's premier biotechnology research institute within the University System of Maryland and was established in 1985. The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) consists of five major research and education centers and is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of biotechnology. UMBI’s centers of research include: CARB, the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology located in Rockville; CBR, the Center for Biosystems Research located in College Park; and COMB, the Center of Marine Biotechnology, MBC, the Medical Biotechnology Center, and IHV, the Institute of Human Virology, all located in Baltimore. For more information, visit www.umbi.umd.edu
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