LYLE G. WHYTE

Associate Professor

Canada Research Chair - Environmental Microbiology

Principal Investigator, NSERC CREATE Canadian Astrobiology Training Program (CATP) 2009 - 2015

Associate Editor, Microbial Ecology Section, Canadian Journal of Microbiology

Co-Chair, The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) – Astrobiology Workshops. 2009, 2010, 2012

Steering Committee. MICROPerm Workshop - circumpolar integration of permafrost microbiological studies. Potsdam, Germany. Nov. 8-10, 2010.

Member, NSERC Ecology and Evolution Grant Selection Committee (2008-2011)

Member, NSERC Interdisciplinary Grant Selection Committee (2009-2010)


Contact information:
Department of Natural Resource Sciences
McGill University
Macdonald Campus
21,111 Lakeshore
Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec
Canada H9X 3V9

Tel. 514-398-7889 Fax: 514-398-7990

email: lyle.whyte@mcgill.ca









Research Interests

Please see the following video that highlights Dr. Whyte’s high arctic research projects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnwHZAOyT-8My

My research projects focus on examining microbial biodiversity and ecology in the Canadian high Arctic where very unique habitats exist, using both classical microbiology and novel genomics-based molecular techniques for studying microbial communities. These habitats include unique cold saline springs, permafrost and ground ice, and ice shelf microbial matt communities. These investigations explore the biodiversity, ecology, adaptations, and activity of microbial communities at subzero temperatures in cryoenvironments (subzero habitats) in an emerging field perhaps best described as cryomicrobiology. This area is presently very poorly understood but crucial for determining if such communities are active in situ at subzero temperatures and determining the impact of such activity on global biogeochemical cycling. The utility of these unique cryoenvironments as extraterrestrial analogs for astrobiology studies is also being examined and biotechnological applications of these microorganisms will be investigated in the longer term. The fundamental questions that my research addresses are:

a. What are the cold temperature limits of microbial life?

b. How do organisms survive in such extreme cryoenvironments?

c. Are microbial communities active at in-situ subzero temperatures in cryoenvironments and how can we detect such activity?

Current and future projects include:

1. Effects of Climate Change on Permafrost Microbial Communities

2. Stable Isotope Probing and Metagenomic Analyses of Permafrost Samples

3. Microbial Ecology and Biodiversity of High Arctic Cold Saline Springs

4. Characterization of Microorganisms Capable of Subzero Growth and Activity

a. Genome sequencing of cryophilic microorganisms

b. Microbial bioprospecting of high Arctic strains and genetic resources

5. Astrobiology-Related Research

a. The survivability of Arctic microbes under Martian environmental conditions

b. Detecting microbial respiration and methanogenesis in situ in cryoenvironments

c. IceBite: an auger and sampling systems for ground ice on Mars (in collaboration with C. McKay (NASA Ames).

6. Biodegradation and bioremediation by cold-adapted microorganisms

McGill High Arctic Research Station, Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut

Current Members of the Whyte Lab ….

Nadia Mykytczuck CATP PDF
a. Metagenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomc analyses of unique high Arctic environments b. Genomic analyses of cryophilic polar strains

Roland Wilhelm Res. Associate
Screening of polar strains for biotechnology applications (enzymes, biofuels)

Chih Ying Lay PhD
Microbial diversity, activity, and ecology of the Lost Hammer Spring Channels CSA CARN Project

Jacqueline Goordail CATP PhD
Microbial diversity, activity, and ecology of University Valley Permafrost, Antarctic. NASA ASTEP Project

Jennifer Allen MSc
Effects of global warming on high Arctic permafrost microbial communities. Department of Energy – Genomic Science Program Project

Guillaume Lamarche-Gagnon CATP MSc
Characterization of anaerobic methane oxidizing bacteria in the hypersaline, subzero Lost Hammer Spring.

Lyle Whyte and PhD students Blaire Steven and Nancy Perreault performing microbial analyses (nucleic acid extractions, culturing) at the McGill High Arctic Research Station, July 2004

 

Recent Publications

Coming soon . . .

Miller, R. and Whyte, L.G. (Editors) 2012. Polar Microbiology:  Life in a Deepfreeze. ASM Press, Washington. In Press (will be released in January 2012, 15 Chapters, ~ 350 pages).

2011

McKay, C., Mykytczuk, N.C.S., and Whyte, L.G. 2012. Chapter 15: Life in Ice on Other Worlds. In Miller, R. and Whyte, L.G. (Editors) 2012. Polar Microbiology: Life in a Deepfreeze. ASM Press, Washington. In Press (will be released in January 2012, 15 Chapters, ~ 350 pages).

Mykytczuk, N.C.S., Wilhelm, R.C., and Whyte, L.G. 2011. Planococcus halocryophilus sp. nov.; an extreme subzero species from high Arctic permafrost. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. submitted

Bell TH, Yergeau E, Martineau C, Juck D, Whyte L.G., Greer CW. 2011. Identification of Nitrogen-Incorporating Bacteria in Petroleum-Contaminated Arctic Soils by Using [15N]DNA-Based Stable Isotope Probing and Pyrosequencing. Appl Environ Microbiol. 77:4163-71

Wilhelm, R., Niederberger, T., Greer, C. and Whyte, L.G. 2011. “Microbial Diversity of Active Layer and Permafrost in an Acidic Wetland from the Canadian high Arctic.” Can. J. of Microbiol. 7:303-315

Lacelle, D., Radtke, K., Clark, I.D., Fisher, D., Lauriol, B., Utting, N., Whyte, L.G., 2011. Isotope biosignatures provide evidence of microbial respiration in ancient terrestrial ground ice. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 306: 46–54

Johnson, A.P., Pratt, L.M., Vishnivetskaya, T. Pfiffner, S., Bryan, R.A., Dadachova, E., Whyte, L., Radtke, K., Chan, E., Tronick, S., Borgonie, G., Mancinelli, R.M., Rothshchild, L.J., Rogoff, D.A., Horikawa, D.D., Onstott, T.C. 2011. Extended Survival of Several Organisms and Amino Acids under Simulated Martian Surface Conditions. Icarus. 211: 1162-1178

Chang, W., Whyte, L., Ghoshal, S. 2011, Comparison of the effects of variable site temperatures and constant incubation temperature on the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in pilot-scale experiments with field-aged contaminated soils from a cold regions site. Chemosphere, 82: 872-878

2010

Niederberger TD, Perreault NN, Tille S, Lollar BS, Lacrampe-Couloume G, Andersen D, Greer CW, Pollard, W. and Whyte LG. 2010. Microbial characterization of a subzero, hypersaline methane seep in the Canadian High Arctic. ISME J. 4:1326-39.

Martineau, C., L.G. Whyte and C.W. Greer. 2010. Stable isotope probing analysis of the diversity and activity of methanotrophic bacteria in soils from the Canadian high Arctic. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 76:5773-84

Yergeau, E., H. Hogues, L.G. Whyte and C. W. Greer. 2010. The functional potential and community composition of high Arctic permafrost and active layer soils revealed by metagenomic sequencing, real-time PCR and microarray analyses. ISME J. 4:1206-1214

Yeung, C.W., K. Lee, L.G. Whyte, and C.W. Greer. 2010. Microbial Community Characterization of The Gully: A Marine Protected Area. Can J Microbiol. 56:421-31

Chang, W., Klemm, S., Whyte, L., Beaulieu C, Hawari, J, Whyte, L, Ghoshal, S. 2010. Petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation under seasonal freeze-thaw soil temperature regimes in contaminated soils from a sub-Arctic site. Environmental Science and Technology 45: 1061-1066.

Chang, W., Dyen, M., Spagnuolo, L., Simon, P., Flaherty, H., Whyte, L., Ghoshal, S. 2010, Biodegradation of semi- and non-volatile petroleum hydrocarbons in aged, contaminated soils from a sub-arctic site: laboratory pilot-scale experiments at site temperatures, Chemosphere, 80: 319-326.

2009

D. Rogers, N.N.Perreault, T.D.Niederberger, C.Lichten, L.G.Whyte, and J.L.Nadeau. 2009. A life detection problem in a High Arctic microbial community. Planetary and Space Science. 58: 623-630

Niederberger, T.D., Steven, B., Charvest, S., and Whyte, L.G. 2009. Virgibacillus arcticus sp. nov., an psychrophilic spore-forming bacterium isolated from Canadian high Arctic permafrost. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:2219-25

Pollard, W., Haltigin, T., Whyte, L.G., Niederberger, T., Andersen, D., Omelon, C., Nadeau, J., Ecclestone,M., Lebeuf, M. 2009. Overview of the analogue science activities at the McGill High Arctic Research Station, Axel Heiberg Island, Canadian High Arctic. Planetary and Space Science – Special Issue, Mars Analogues. 57: 646-659.

Niederberger, T.D., Perreault, N., Lawrence, J.R., Nadeau, J.L, Mielke, R.E., Greer, C.W., Andersen, D.T., and Whyte, L.G. 2009. Novel sulfur-oxidizing streamers thriving in perennial cold saline springs of the Canadian high Arctic. Environ. Microbiol. 11: 616-629.

2008

Perreault, N., Greer, C.W., Andersen, D.T., Tille, S., Lacrampe-Couloume, G., Sherwood-Lollar, B. and Whyte, L.G. 2008. Heterotrophic and Autotrophic Microbial Populations in Cold Perennial Springs of the High Arctic. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74: 6898-907

Steven, B., Pollard, W.H., Greer, C.W., and Whyte, L.G. 2008. Microbial Diversity and Activity Through a Permafrost/Ground Ice Core Profile from the Canadian High Arctic. Environ. Microbiol. 10: 3388-403

Martineau, C., Whyte, L.G., and Greer, C.W. 2008. Development of a SYBR safeTM technique for the sensitive detection of DNA in cesium chloride density gradients for stable isotope probing assays. J. Microbiol. Methods. 73:199-202

Steven, B., Niederberger, T.D., and Whyte, L.G. 2008. Bacterial and Archaeal Diversity in Permafrost. In Permafrost Soils. Ed. (R. Margasin). Springer Verlag. R. Margesin (ed.) Permafrost Soils, Soil Biology 16

Steven, B., Chen, M.Q., Greer, C.W., Whyte, L.G. and Niederberger, T.D. 2008. Tumebacillus permanentifrigoris gen. nov., sp. nov., an aerobic, spore-forming bacterium isolated from Canadian high Arctic permafrost. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 58: 1497-1501.

Bottos, E., Greer, C.W, Vincent, W.F, and Whyte, L.G. 2008. Prokayotic Diversity of Arctic Ice Shelf Microbial Mats. Environmental Microbiology 10: 950-966

Nadeau, J.L., Perreault, N., Niederberger, T.D., Whyte, L.G., Sun, H.J., & Leon, R. 2008. Fluorescence microscopy as a tool for in situ life detection. Astrobiology. 8: 859-74

2007

Steven, B., Niederberger, T.D., Bottos, E., Dyen, M.R., and Whyte, L.G. 2007. Development of a Sensitive Radiorespiration Method for Detecting Microbial Activity at Subzero Temperatures. J. Microbiol. Methods. 71:2

75-80.

Perreault, N., Andersen, D., Pollard, W., Greer, C.W. and Whyte, L.G. 2007. Characterization of the Prokaryotic Diversity in Cold Saline Springs from the Canadian High Arctic. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 73:1532–1543.

Steven, B., Briggs, G., McKay, C.P., Pollard, W.H., Greer, C.W and Whyte, L.G. 2007. Characterization of the Microbial Diversity in a Permafrost Sample from the Canadian High Arctic Using Culture-dependent and Culture-independent Methods. FEMS Microbial Ecology 9: 513-523

Labbe, D., Margesin, R., Schinner, F., Whyte, L.G. and Greer, C.W. 2007. Comparative phylogenetic analysis of microbial communities in pristine and hydrocarbon-contaminated alpine soils. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 9: 466-475

2006

Steven, B., Leveille, R., Pollard, W.H. and Whyte, L.G. 2006. Microbial Ecology and Biodiversity of Permafrost. Extremophiles 10: 259-267.

2005

Whyte, L.G. and Greer, C.W. 2005. “Molecular Techniques for Monitoring and Assessing Soil Bioremediation” for Soil Biology, Vol. 5, Manual for Soil Analysis - Monitoring and Assessing Soil Bioremediation. R. Margesin, F. Schinner (Eds.) Springer Verlag, Berlin.

Juck, D.F., Whissell, G., Steven, B., Pollard, W., McKay, C.P., Greer, C.W., and Whyte, L.G. 2005. Utilization of fluorescent microspheres and a GFP-marked strain for assessing microbiological contamination of permafrost and ground ice core samples from the Canadian High Arctic. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71: 1035-1041.

2004 and later . . .

Luz, A.P., Pellizari, V.H., Whyte, L.G., & Greer, C.W. 2004. A survey of indigenous microbial hydrocarbon degradation genes in soils from Antarctica and Brazil. Can. J. Microbiol. 50:323-333.

Margesin, R., Labbé, D., Schinner, F., Greer, C.W., and Whyte, L.G. 2003. Characterization of hydrocarbon-degradative microbial populations in contaminated and pristine alpine soils. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69:3985-3092

Greer, C.W., Fortin, N., Roy, R., Whyte, L.G., and Lee, K. 2003. Indigenous sediment microbial activity in response to nutrient enrichment and plant growth following a controlled oil spill on a freshwater wetland. Bioremediation Journal 7: 69-80

Whyte, L.G., Smits, T., Labbé, D., Witholt, B., Greer, C.W., and J. van Beilen. 2002. Gene Cloning and Characterization of multiple Alkane Hydroxylases in Rhodococcus spp. strains Q15 and 16531. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 68: 5933-5942.

van Beilen, J.B., Smits T.H., Whyte, L.G., Schorcht, S., Röthlisberger, M., Plaggemeier, T., Engesser, K-H., and Witholt, B. 2002. Alkane hydroxylase homologues in gram-positive strains. Environmental Microbiol. 4 :676–682

Whyte, L.G., Schultz, A., J.B. van Beilen, Luz, A.P., Pellizari, D., Labbé, D., and Greer, C.W. 2002. Prevalence of Alkane Monooxygenase Genes in Arctic and Antarctic Hydrocarbon-Contaminated and Pristine Soils. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 41: 141-150.

McGill Courses 2011-2012

Prof. Whyte is on Sabbatical from September 2009 to August 2010.

Fall 2011

BIOT 505 Selected Topics in Biotechnology (Invited Lecturer)

NRSC 333 Physical And Biological Aspects of Pollution

Winter 2012

MICR 773 Advanced Environmental Microbiology

EPSC 205B Astrobiology (Invited Lecturer)

Last revised June 14, 2011