Interview: "Sulfur-oxidizing and methanotrophic organisms can help us to understand greenhouse gas dynamics"

In this interview, iC3 postdoc Polina Beskrovnaya explores her research on ice-associated bacteria in Svalbard and their implications for science, while sharing her passion for microbes, reading, and travelling.

Can you describe yourself briefly and what is the focus of your research here?

My name is Polina. I am a postdoc with the METHANICE project, which investigates bacteria in methane-rich environments around Svalbard. My work involves cultivation of sulfur-oxidizing and, potentially, methanotrophic organisms to characterize their role in nutrient cycling and how they adapt to icy conditions.

Photo: Polina in the lab. Credit: Gabrielle Kleber.

Why is it important to study that?

The most tempting answer is because the results can inform greenhouse gas dynamics in an environment that is particularly vulnerable to global warming. But as a microbiologist, I also think it’s fascinating to explore how microbes adapt to harsh conditions, as this knowledge can be applied in other extreme environments and even extrapolated to the Early Earth and beyond.

Are you doing lab work, fieldwork, or modeling?

I am primarily a wet lab scientist and haven’t done any fieldwork yet. Right now, I’m using water and ice core samples from Svalbard for cultivation and subsequent experimentation in order to understand the metabolic contributions of endemic microbes to nutrient dynamics, such as methane and sulfide consumption.

Photo: Marine bacteria isolated on agar plates. Credit: Polina Beskrovnaya.

What did you do during your PhD? How has your research focus evolved until now?

I did my PhD at the University of British Columbia, where I studied outer membrane remodeling in sporulating bacteria, which involved a lot of anaerobic work, microscopy and protein biochemistry. Before that, I studied plant-associated bacteria as an undergrad, mostly doing microbial isolation and genetics.

So, I have expertise in bacterial cultivation and characterization, particularly with extremophiles and weird metabolisms, which is useful for my current project. In the past, the focus was more on the biochemical and genetic aspects, but now it has shifted more towards metabolic processes and geochemistry. It’s a bit challenging but very exciting, as I get to apply my skills and learn something new in the process.

How much time do you spend in the lab each week?

It really depends on what’s happening, but I’d say most of my day is spent in the lab. Currently, I am busy growing bacteria and checking on them with microscopy. They are all tiny and move around a lot, which is both very cute and not surprising for marine isolates.

What’s one big question you’d like to answer in the future?

Maybe not me personally, but I’m really excited about microbial life outside of Earth. It’s really not a question of if but when we discover something, and I’m curious about the kind of biology that exists out there and how it compares to what we know. I’m actually envious of all the future scientists who will get to study alien microbes.

If you could change one thing in science, what would it be?

I would advocate for a more even distribution of funding between projects. Basic science often struggles to secure resources, because it might not have immediate relevance or obvious practical applications. Yet, it is the foundation of innovation. Many tools that we use in the lab and everyday life were the result of accidental discoveries from basic research.

Have you always aspired to have a career in science?
Yes and no. I’ve always been interested in a lot of things, but in the back of my mind, I also had this idea that I would eventually end up as the stereotypical lab scientist. I enjoy accumulating knowledge, so it’s probably the most productive use of my nosiness.

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
It’s hard to choose, because I love learning about different cultures, languages, and locations. I’m drawn to remote or isolated places. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Chukotka, but I’d also love to visit the Faroe Islands, Atacama Desert, North Korea and French Polynesia among others.

What are you looking forward to in the next year, personally or professionally?
Professionally, I’m excited to see how my project develops and how the Polar MAGIC lab shapes up as more microbial work gets introduced. Personally, I hope to take the Norwegian language proficiency exam, read more books off my list and make some friends.

Polina Beskrovnaya is an iC3 affiliated postdoc working at the UiT The Arctic University of Tromsø, the capital of the Arctic. To find out more about her work, please check out her list of publications, or contact her by email.