Update 2023-06-21-argentina-expedition-report.md

_posts/2023-06-21-argentina-expedition-report.md

@@ -46,3 +46,5 @@ The information gathered during this expedition will allow us to describe the en
 Samples taken to the Giovannelli lab will be subjected to molecular analysis (DNA extraction and PCR amplification), and geochemical characterization (elemental analysis of the sediments, acid digestions, determination of major and minor ions and of trace metals in the fluids and digestates). DNA extraction will be carried out for all of the samples collected (fluids, sediments and backgrounds) following an appropriate protocol. After performing a check of the quantity (Qbit) and quality of the DNA extracted, through  PCR amplification, a specific region of the extracted DNA will be sent to sequence, 16S rRNA. This specific portion of the DNA present in a sample can help us perform phylogenetic analysis and identify the presence of specific taxonomic groups on a given site. Extracted DNA will also be used to perform metagenomic analysis, which will provide valuable information regarding the main metabolisms present in each sample. 
 
 Major, minor and transition metals present in both fluids and sediments will be determined using Ionic Chromatography (major ions) and  Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (minor and transition metals). This data coupled with the diversity and metagenomic data  will help us understanding if we are seeing a higher abundance of a specific gene that codes for a given metabolism in sites where the major ions or the transition metals key for that metabolism are present at a greatest or smallest concentration. This will all allow us to shed more light into the deep and intricate connections between Life and Earth’s Lithosphere and hopefully help us understand how life and tectonics coevolved throughout our planet’s history. 
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+Fotos: Jacopo Pasotti, 2024