Geomicrobiology: from Fundamental Science to Applications

14 &15 October 2024

Dr Saskia Bindschedler, UNINE

Dr Magnus Ivarsson - Department of Palaeobiology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden.

Prof Cara Magnabosco – Geobiology group, Department of Earth Sciences, ETHZ, Zürich, Switzerland.

Dr Mike Rowley - Soil Science and Biogeochemistry, Department of Geography, University of Zürich, Switzerland.

Objectives

Experts in the field of geomicrobiology will present, and discuss with PhD students, the most recent advances regarding knowledge and methodologies used to answer open questions that remain in this field.

Presentation of the activity

This two-day activity is intended for both microbiologists and geologists. It consists in three activities:

1) lectures by three experts in the field; 2) a visit of a field-site of geomicrobiological interest; and 3) a practical exercise for the participants.

For the practical exercise, ahead of the activity, each of the three experts will propose an applied research topic in their field of expertise, along with 2-3 selected publications. Based on this, the organizers will create three groups of participants with mixed backgrounds (i.e. biologists and geologists). During the exercise part, each group will have to develop a small research project based on the propositions by the experts and considering a possible application of geomicrobiologial research. Each group will be coached by one of the experts on his/her particular topic, but there will also be time for discussion and inputs by the other experts. At the end of the activity, the students will be asked to present the research project they have developed to their fellows.

Research topics

1. Search for life on other planets (C. Magnabosco)

Guiding questions: Your team has been asked to plan a mission to either (a) assess the habitability of a planetary body within our solar system or (b) search for biosignatures within our solar system. Please provide a mission concept that accomplishes one of these two scientific goals and is feasible in terms of engineering design.

- What criteria do you need to consider when assessing habitability and/or biosignatures?

- Which type of organism could be there?

- Take also into account any consideration about contamination from Earth.

Selected publications: https://drive.switch.ch/index.php/s/OTk4Cw8emlIjPVV

2. Tracking fungi in deep time (M. Ivarsson)

Guiding questions:

- Which exploration strategies? (Which environments are promising? Which type of fungi can we expect to find? How can we date fossil fungi?)

- Which analytical methods? (Instruments? How to detect fossilized fungi?)

Selected publications: https://drive.switch.ch/index.php/s/ofxLp5JboeFXkLd

3. Incorporating soil inorganic carbon sequestration into agroforestry systems? (M. Rowley)

Guiding questions: Soil inorganic carbon (SIC) sequestration could be incorporated into agroforestry systems through several pathways. While I have listed literature and presented on the field of the oxalate-carbonate pathway, please feel free to explore other alternatives. The three research questions below should guide a discussion on how SIC sequestration could be incorporated into existing agroforestry systems and its relevance under different pedo(soil)-climatic conditions:

- What biogeochemical processes could be used to incorporate SIC sequestration into existing agroforestry systems?

- What pedo-climatic conditions would be ideal for these different processes and why?

- How could these processes be maximized through existing agroforestry techniques? Or what limitations would be imposed on SIC sequestration by different agroforestry techniques?

Selected publications: https://drive.switch.ch/index.php/s/MQno6U1xHedTzt2

Field trip

Sulfur- and iron springs at Les Ponts-de-Martel and exploration of karst dynamics along the Areuse river. Please dress according to the weather forecast and wear suitable shoes for a short walk on muddy paths.

University of Neuchâtel, Room A218 UniMail

Reimbursements for CUSO MPS Students:
Train ticket, 2°class, half-fare from your institution to the place of the activity 

Reimbursement of your travel tickets can be asked online through your MyCUSO

Registration is close

Deadline for registration: 04.10.2024

Late cancellation or "no show" administration fee of 50.-

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