Survey functional genes in Arctic marine sediment communities. Survey functional genes in Arctic marine sediment communities

The objective was to identify functional genes encoded by Fungi and fungal-like organisms to assess putative ecological roles Using the GeoChip microarray, we detected fungal genes involved in the complete assimilation of nitrate and the degradation of lignin, as well as evidence for Partitiviridae (a mycovirus) that likely regulates fungal populations in the marine environment. These results demonstrate the potential for fungi to degrade terrigenously-sourced molecules, such as permafrost and compete with algae for nitrate during blooms. Ultimately, these data suggest that marine fungi could be as important in oceanic ecosystems as they are in freshwater environments. Overall design: Three biological replicates were collected in both May and June sediment. Biological replicates were pooled and DNA was subsequently extracted. DNA was shipped to the University of Oklahoma, where it was analyzed with the GeoChip microarray