This grant from the Department of Conservation aims to study the microbial communities in bat species to understand their potential defense against White-nose syndrome (WNS). By analyzing bat microbiota using next-gen sequencing and microbial culturing techniques, researchers will focus on isolating Actinobacteria for testing anti-fungal activity against Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The study will include five or more bat species netted at Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, comparing surface and cave roosting bats. Installation of temperature/rH loggers will provide insights into roosting site microclimates. Funding will enable the expansion of the dataset to compare results across different sites and enhance public education on WNS impact on bats.
Opportunity ID: 292363
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | P17AS00114 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Microbial Defense Against WNS in Bat Microbiota |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Cooperative Agreement |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Natural Resources |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 1 |
| Assistance Listings: | 15.945 — Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 1 |
| Posted Date: | Mar 10, 2017 |
| Last Updated Date: | – |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Mar 17, 2017 |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Mar 17, 2017 |
| Archive Date: | Mar 20, 2017 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $35,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $35,000 |
| Award Floor: | $0 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Public and State controlled institutions of higher education |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | National Park Service |
| Description: | White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, threatens bat populations throughout the U.S. Western bat populations provide an excellent opportunity to understand bats’ external bacterial and fungal inhabitants and their potential to provide natural defenses against this newly emerging pathogen. Using next gen sequencing and microbial culturing techniques we propose to analyze bat microbiota across five or more bat species, and to isolate Actinobacteria for testing of anti-fungal activity against P. destructans. Actinobacteria are rich producers of antibiotics, including antifungals. In 2013-2015, we netted bats in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (PARA) at both cave and surface sites. Five target species of bats were swabbed, including species very likely and less likely susceptible to WNS. Next gen sequencing performed on DNA from swabs suggests that bats caught on the surface versus those caught in the PARA have different microbial communities. Some species of bats have many Actinobacteria present, and we have identified some isolates that show significant inhibition of P. destrucans in our other sites. To learn more about the microclimate in which the bats roost and to test whether the microclimate is appropriate for the growth of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, we will install temperature/relative humidity loggers to gather data in roosting areas of PARA and four backcountry PARAs that previously tested positive for the presence of close relatives of P. destructans. We will also photo-document this research to provide interpretive materials for PARAâ¿¿s staff to promote public education and outreach on WNS and its impact on bats. Much remains to be learned about PARA’s bats, their microbiota, the microclimate of their roosting sites, and climate change impacts. This funding will allow us to expand our dataset to a statistically adequate level and to compare results from PARA bats to our other four sites. |
| Link to Additional Information: | http://www.grants.gov |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
Kelly Adams
Kelly_Adams@nps.gov Email:Kelly_Adams@nps.gov |
Version History
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Related Documents
Folder 292363 Full Announcement-P17AS00114 -> NPS-NOIP17AS00114.pdf
Packages
There are no packages on this grant.
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