New Populus deltoides microbiome paper accepted in PLoS One!

Been waiting on a decision on a long developing story for the past few weeks. We first began watershed level sampling of the roots and rhizosphere of Populus deltoides in the Spring of 2010. Took us until about the Spring of 2011 to get all the microbial sequence data collected. About another 6 months for Migun Shakya’s data analyses to come to near fruition. Then several more months of drafting, redrafting, and refining his paper (I think we made it V7 before submission). The accepted version is linked here on PLoS ONE.

Apparently the work paid off! Just got an acceptance letter from PLoS One unlike any I have ever seen. Two reviews, nothing but praise. Literally, NO changes from either peer reviewer. The editor requested one. We apparently forgot to reference Supplemental Figure 5 in the text. After telling the news to a colleague down the hall, he told me something like “You might as well retire now. Not going to get much better than that!”

Back when we were doing the sampling, we came up with a nickname for the team. Deltoides Force! Picture Chuck Norris in a classic action pose, but then instead substitute ecologists wielding shovels, tree ring corers, and archeological trowels to excavate root systems.

Anyway, Deltoides force, congratulations! May we reunite for a sequel performance soon!

The spring 2010 sampling team shortly after finishing our last sampling/tree of the trip along the Yadkin River in North Carolina (We are not normally this clean in the field, some of us changed for the trip home!)

Andrii fighting with the tree ring corer.

Greg, Jessie and Cassandra in the process of excavating a tree root.

JOB POST: Assistant Professor Position at University of Delaware

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware (www.bio.udel.edu) is seeking applications for a Tenure-Track faculty position at the level of Assistant Professor in Prokaryotic Microbiology. Applicants must have a doctoral or equivalent degree, postdoctoral experience, documented evidence of high quality research productivity, and a strong commitment to education and research.

The successful candidate is expected to: 1) develop and maintain a nationally recognized, externally funded research program; 2) train BS, MS and PhD students; and 3) teach undergraduate and graduate level courses. Candidates whose research employs molecular genetics, genomics/metagenomics, molecular and/or cellular microbiology approaches are especially encouraged to apply. Faculty will be provided with a competitive salary and start-up package.

The Department of Biological Sciences has outstanding facilities and support, including a vibrant collaborative research community and consists of 28 faculty members with research interests ranging from molecular biology, genetics, and development biology to cell signaling. The Department graduate program currently has 80 graduate students in its MS/PhD program. The University offers a highly interactive multidisciplinary scientific environment with state-of-the-art core facilities in bioimaging, genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics and other areas (www.dbi.udel.edu/coreinstrumentation.html).

Applicants should visit http://www.udel.edu/udjobs to apply and should carefully read the “Applicant Instructions” under the “Resources for Applicants” tab before submitting their application. Applicants are asked to create and upload a single PDF document that includes: a) a cover letter; b) a statement of current and long-term research plans; c) a concise statement of teaching experience and philosophy; d) a curriculum vitae; and e) names and contact information for three professional references. Any questions can be directed to Tina Fontana (tfontana@udel.edu ) or to Fidelma Boyd (fboyd@udel.edu ), Chair, Faculty Search Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716. Review of applications will begin on receipt with a deadline of November 10th for full consideration. 

Off to ESA in Minneapolis!

Several of us are off to MN Sunday for the Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America.  Unfortunately all three presentations by Myself, Meg and Tarah are scheduled for Thursday and Friday (2 posters and 1 talk).  Please stick around and prove Alan Townsend wrong by filling up those late meeting sessions!

Then Friday after the meeting I’m off to do some fieldwork on the SPRUCE project.  

Fair the well and see you in MN!