Below are the first 10 and last 10 pages of uncorrected machine-read text (when available) of this chapter, followed by the top 30 algorithmically extracted key phrases from the chapter as a whole.
Intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text on the opening pages of each chapter.
Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.
Do not use for reproduction, copying, pasting, or reading; exclusively for search engines.
OCR for page 128
6
Findings and Recommendations
The new era of genomics is opening doors to an unparalleled realm of
research questions, and polar scientists are poised to make great advances.
This chapter discusses how to move forward on those questions and
focuses on two issues: the important roles that genomic technology (and
related enabling technologies) stand to play in polar research and the
appropriate means for making these approaches available for a diverse
community of research scientists. The recommendations span a wide
range of considerations, including mechanisms for providing the neces-
sary financial and logistical support for polar research, strategies for iden-
tifying optimal study systems, means for improved integration of research
programs in Arctic and Antarctic regions, and improvements in the infra-
structure of education, to broaden awareness of the importance of polar
biology and, ultimately, increase participation in polar research. The
challenges posed by the recommended actions are substantial. Yet, if
these challenges are met successfully, polar biological research will attain
a new level of sophistication and enhance its ability to make vital contri-
butions to a wide range of disciplines, ranging from biomedicine to climate
change.
A NEW UNIFYING APPROACH TO
POLAR BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Finding 1: Genome science is an addition to, not a replacement
for, other approaches to the study of polar biology. The applica-
128
OCR for page 129
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
lion of new genomic technologies has the potential to be a unify-
ing paradigm for polar biological sciences. Key opportunities
include the following:
129
· Polar organisms and communities offer unique opportunities to
study evolution using genome sciences.
· The use of genomic methods will give insights into the effects of
global change on polar biota and biogeochemistry.
· Genome sciences have vast potential for elucidating function in
microbial communities.
· Polar genome sciences could make broad contributions to bio-
medicine and biotechnology (for example, cryopreservation, cryosurgery,
and cold functioning enzymes).
· A polar genome research initiative will provide important new
information on the evolution, physiology, and biochemistry of polar organ-
isms. Such information not only enhances our understanding of how
polar ecosystems function, but also helps our search for life in icy worlds.
Recommendation 1-1: The National Science Foundation (NSF)
should develop a major new initiative in polar genome sciences
that emphasizes collaborative multidisciplinary research and co-
ordinates research efforts. The polar genome science initiative
could facilitate genome analyses of polar organisms and support
the relevant research on their physiology, biochemistry, ecosys-
tem function, and biotechnological applications.
Recommendation 1-2: A new polar genome initiative should
capitalize on data from existing Long-Term Ecological Research
and Microbial Observatory sites to take advantage of the long-
term datasets and the geographical distribution of these sites.
Additional approaches may be taken so that research can be con-
ducted at sites with comparable conditions at both poles. For
example, there is currently no marine site in the Arctic.
COORDINATION IS ESSENTIAL
Finding 2: To facilitate the advancement of polar genome sci-
ences, coordination of research efforts will be required to ensure
efficient transfer of technologies, provide guidance to researchers
on choosing organisms for genome analyses, and help in the
development of new scientific initiatives. Coordination of research
efforts should begin with syntheses of the available information,
thereby avoiding duplication of research efforts. It should facili-
OCR for page 130
130
FRONTIERS IN POLAR BIOLOGY IN THE GENOMIC ERA
late increased communication among the polar scientists and also
with nonpolar scientists who have expertise in genomics and
other technological advances applicable to polar studies.
Recommendation 2: NSF should form a scientific standing com-
mittee to establish priorities and coordinate large-scale efforts for
genome-enabled polar science (for example, genome sequencing,
transcriptome analysis, and coordinated bioinformatics databases).
VIRTUAL GENOME SCIENCE CENTERS
Finding 3: Genomic technologies, both those currently available
and those anticipated in the future, are applicable to some of the
key questions in polar biology. However, the technical demands
of genome science often transcend the resources of any individual
researcher.
Recommendation 3: NSF should support some mechanism to
facilitate gene sequencing and related genomic activities beyond
the budget of any individual principal investigator, such as vir-
tual genome science centers. The purpose of the virtual centers
would be to provide infrastructure for individual researchers and
to facilitate technology transfer among researchers. New infra-
structure is not needed, rather some type of coordinating body
(e.g., University National Oceanographic Laboratory System,
Ocean Drilling Program).
ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
Finding 4: Enabling technologies are critical to the successful
application of genomic technologies to polar studies.
Recommendation 4: Ancillary technologies such as observato-
ries, ice drilling, remote sensing, mooring and autonomous
sensors, and isotope approaches should be developed to support
application of genomic technologies to polar studies.
INCREASING AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
Finding 5: Polar systems play important roles in global-scale phe-
nomena, and there is a need for enhanced flow of information
about polar biology to a wide audience of scientists, policymakers,
and the general public.
OCR for page 131
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation 5: NSF should continue its efforts to make
information about polar regions available to teachers, schools,
and the public. Short- and long-term plans should be developed
for increasing public awareness of polar biology. In the near
future, postdoctoral fellowships in polar biology could be set up
to encourage young scientists to enter the field. Long-term plans
should include continued efforts to incorporate polar biology in
college and K-12 curricula.
IMPEDIMENTS TO INTEGRATED POLAR SCIENCE
Finding 6: Impediments to conducting multidisciplinary inte-
grated polar science exist, including administrative, fiscal, and
infrastructure issues:
131
· Coordination among directorates within NSF and coordination
among agencies are both essential for advancing polar biology.
· International collaborations are vital for all polar research. Cur-
rent procedures make the involvement of international scientists in U.S.
polar biological projects difficult.
· Attempts to conduct comparative research at both poles can be
difficult. Although NSF's Office of Polar Programs supports research in
both poles, grant applications for Arctic and Antarctic research have to be
made to two separate NSF research programs. Research proposals often
undergo two reviews, and scientists must prepare separate budgets for
each proposal.
· Infrastructure for Arctic and Antarctic biology needs improvement.
The conduct of molecular research in the polar regions requires specific
infrastructure, and there is no high-technology equipment for such work
in the Arctic. Development of ice-drilling and clean sampling technolo-
gies in the Antarctic will facilitate research in deep ice and subglacial
lakes.
Recommendation 6-1: To reach the goal of getting excellent
science done as efficiently as possible, NSF should remove im-
pediments to cross-directorate funding. Because integrated polar
science often requires interagency cooperation, NSF should lead
by example and form partnerships with the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration and others as relevant. Memoranda of
understanding among directorates within NSF and among fund-
ing agencies are one mechanism to facilitate transfer of informa-
tion and coordination of research.
OCR for page 132
32
FRONTIERS IN POLAR BIOLOGY IN THE GENOMIC ERA
Recommendation 6-2: Establishment of international research
partnerships or memoranda of understanding will facilitate and
enhance these collaborative efforts. Issues such as stipends,
travel, visas, education, ship time, aircraft use and other logistical
issues should be addressed in these memoranda to ensure suc-
cessful operation of international collaborative polar research.
Recommendation 6-3: More information is needed to develop
solutions to problems related to conducting bipolar research. NSF
should conduct a brief survey of researchers and research groups
who would potentially work in both poles to identify impedi-
ments and then take steps to address them.
Recommendation 6-4: To facilitate integrated, multidisciplinary
biological research at both poles, NSF will have to improve bio-
logical laboratories and research vessels, and develop ice-drilling
resources in the polar regions. Opportunities to allow year-round
access to, and operation of, field sites should be pursued.
Representative terms from entire chapter:
polar genome
