The BIO Directorate Microbial Biology Emphasis BIO Advisory Committee April, 2005

BIO’s Microbial Biology Emphasis BIO is proposing an increased effort to advance microbial biology beginning in FY A new working group has been charged to consider:  What programs or activities will best serve the microbial science of the future?  How should they be structured?

Background and Context Microbes are vastly understudied, given their importance on Earth. NSF has supported research on microbes in a number of contexts over many years. Interest and opportunities are growing.

Background and Context Genomics has provided the key to understanding the microbial world. Complementary approaches have been enhanced and revitalized. Microbes and their interactions can now be placed in the context of their natural environments.

The BIO Microbial Biology Working Group Approach  Identify the leading edge biological questions and research needs in microbial biology.  Match the questions and research needs to current programs and opportunities.  Identify intersections and complementarity of programs and gaps.  Develop a plan for the BIO Microbial Emphasis in 2006

Community Input A Number of Workshops, Including Microbial Genomes: Blueprints for Life The Microbe Project – The NSF Role ( a BIO/NSF Advisory Committee Workshop) Microbial Ecology and Genomics: A Crossroads of Opportunity Facilitating Microbial Research through Advanced Data Management Infrastructure ( A workshop sponsored by the Microbe Project Interagency Working Group)

Community Input Recommendations from PI Meetings  Microbial Genome Sequencing Program 2005 Genome sequencing is still needed.  Microbial Observatories 2002: Add an opportunity for research on Microbial Interactions and Processes 2004 White paper from meeting of Microbial Observatories PIs with USDA grantees and staff recommends a joint effort.

Interagency Coordination: The Microbe Project Member Agencies l Department of Agriculture l Department of Commerce l Department of Defense l Department of Energy l Department of Health and Human Services l National Aeronautics and Space Administration l National Science Foundation

The Microbe Project Interagency Working Group Interagency Report on the Federal Investment in Microbial Genomics Interagency Working Group on Microbial Genomics of the NSTC Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Biotechnology, The Microbe Project Report Updated strategic planning document in preparation.

The Microbe Project Interagency Working Group 2005 Topics under Consideration l Infrastructure needs (including more genome sequencing) l Assigning Functions Mechanisms of Microbe-Microbe and Microbe-other organism interactions Comparative Genomics Databases and Bioinformatics Infrastructure Environmental Genomics (aka Metagenomics) Proteomics Microbial Epidemiology and Forensics

Recommendations from All Sources Advance genome-enabled research at all levels of biological organization Education and outreach programs Resource needs:  Genome sequence and quality annotation  Cyberinfrastructure  Accessible technologies

Research Frontiers Explore and elucidate microbial: Metabolic diversity and function Communication, signaling, and behavior Interactions with other organisms Diversity Evolution and how groups maintain cohesion Ecology Understand the fundamental processes of life from molecular to ecological levels

Infrastructure and Resource Needs Build the genome sequence knowledge base. Determine the functions of open reading frames to improve annotation. Develop ontologies, databases, and informatics tools for:  Analysis of microbial genomes.  Analysis of DNA from environmental samples.  Linking genomic data with other data types. Develop and make accessible new research tools and techniques.

Education and Outreach Educate at the interfaces of microbial biology with:  Genomics  Math, physical sciences, computer science  Environmental Science Broaden Participation Increase public awareness

NSF/BIO Current Opportunities in Microbial Biology Microbial Genome Sequencing (Joint with USDA) Microbial Observatories & Microbial Interactions and Processes Microbial Research in:  Core Programs  FIBR  Plant Genome Research Program  Ecology of Infectious Disease (Joint with NIH)

Instrumentation & Instrument Development PEET IGERT Dissertation Improvement Post Docs Databases and Informatics Living Stocks Genome Sequencing Ecological & Evolutionary Physiology Ecology & Ecosystems Plant Genome Research Systematics Metabolic Biochemistry Plant Biology DevelopmentalSystems Biodiversity Surveys & Inventories Microbial Observatories & Interactions & Processes RCN MicrobialGenetics [Education ] [Research Frontiers] [Infrastructure] REUUMEB

NSF/BIO Planning for Future Opportunities in Microbial Biology The Microbial Biology Working Group is charged to consider:  What activities and programs will best serve the microbial science of the future?  How should they be structured?

Cyberinfrastructure Databases PEET IGERT Postdoc Living Stocks REU UBM Instrumentation Ecology Ecosystems Physiology FIBR Systematics Evolution Microbial Observatories Biochemistry Genetics Genome Sequencing Ecology of Infectious Disease Cell biology Plant genome