Last month, MO BIO Laboratories was fortunate enough to receive a visit from an exceptionally interesting scientist. Dr. Laurie Connell, of the University of Maine, is involved in a number of research projects spanning from the development of field detection instruments for the detrimental potato wart, to the analysis of paralytic shellfish toxins, to the extreme microbial habitats at the southern most region of our planet. Along with a team of collaborators, Dr. Connell has taken scientific journeys to Antarctica since 1990. She shared images and stories from these Antarctic trips, that at times seem other-worldly. Feel free to throw on a coat as you read on.

Q: What is the focus of your research at McMurdo?

A: Essentially, we are looking at the rock bottom of the food chain, low carbon oligotrophic microbes, with a particular focus on fungi that fix carbon. Antarctica is a perfect setting for these harsh and unique conditions in which the food chain is forced to ‘get creative’. Certain remote locations will be comprised of soil with no organic carbons present, suggesting that plants may never have been present. This offers a setting where microbes must adapt to utilizing nutrients and energy from volcanic rocks. In areas containing no vascular plants, you may still see a wide range of bacteria, but the fungal diversity is unlike any other on the planet. Incredibly, life even exists in the permanently ice covered Lake Bonney, ‘that’s why microbiology is so interesting!’.

Q: Can you describe the conditions while working in this environment?

A: The Antarctic environment is unlike any other on Earth, with extreme fluctuations. Conditions can change so rapidly, we have experienced a temperature drop by 30°C simply from a cloud passing by overhead. We were once surprised by a solar eclipse, which was only noticeable by the dramatic temperature drop! The land can seem like a completely foreign planet. Some of our expeditions will involve walking 15 to 20 miles per day, through areas of high iron content, with eerie Mars-like land. Although McMurdo is at sea level, is has an effective altitude of 1,000 feet. On our last climb up to the caves at Mt Erebus, we stopped at the edge of Fang Glacier for three days of acclimitization. Just as we were preparing to move on, we became engulfed by a horrendous storm, stuck inside our tents for seven days. This was over Thanksgiving, with a feast consisting of one cup of pea soup and a few crackers. It was an adventure to say the least.

Q: What is the significance of your research?

A: The conditions present at our sites, while unlike most currently on Earth, have been compared to conditions on other planets, and most notably to those present on early Earth. Discovering what species are able to survive and ultimately dominate in this harsh environment, as well as exactly how they utilize the nutrients present, converting inorganic compounds to organics, may provide a substrate for the evolution of early life.

Q: What are your plans for the next upcoming endeavour?

A: Our next trip will be a follow up to the previous. We will be removing basalt traps at glacial dive holes for our next collection of data. We will also be headed to Blood Falls, named after its appearance due to trapped marine containing high iron content for diving and cave work. Also, we will travel to Walcott glacier, which is much further south, to compare and contrast the latitude and chemical gradient.

Q: How have MO BIO kits helped in your research?

A: We have relied on a range of MO BIO kits including the RNA PowerSoil® Total RNA Isolation Kit and UltraClean® Mega Soil DNA Isolation Kit to overcome common inhibitors contained within these challenging samples.

For more information on Dr. Laurie Connell’s research, please visit the Connell Lab homepage at http://www.umaine.edu/nunatak/index.htm