ABSTRACT: Distribution of ETBE-degrading microorganisms and functional capability in groundwater and implications for characterising aquifer biodegradation potential
Project description:We investigated a contaminant-degrading microbial community by sequencing total RNA (without rRNA depletion) from microcosms containing sediment from a hypoxic contaminated aquifer fed with isotopically labeled toluene.
Project description:The marine bacterium Rhodococcus erythropolis PR4 was demonstrated to be able for assimilation/biodegradation of hydrocarbons. Not just the chromosome but two large plasmids provide versatile enzyme sets involved in many metabolic pathways. In order to identify the key elements involved in biodegradation of the model compound, hexadecane, and diesel oil, we performed whole transcriptome analysis on cells grown in the presence of n-hexadecane and diesel oil. Sodium acetate grown cells were used as control. The final goal of the project is a comparative transcriptomic analysis of Rhodococcus erythropolis PR4 cells grown on acetate, on the model compound: hexadecane and the real substrate: diesel oil.
Project description:The marine bacterium Rhodococcus erythropolis PR4 was demonstrated to be able for assimilation/biodegradation of hydrocarbons. Not just the chromosome but two large plasmids provide versatile enzyme sets involved in many metabolic pathways. In order to identify the key elements involved in biodegradation of the model compound, hexadecane, and diesel oil, we performed whole transcriptome analysis on cells grown in the presence of n-hexadecane and diesel oil. Sodium acetate grown cells were used as control. The final goal of the project is a comparative transcriptomic analysis of Rhodococcus erythropolis PR4 cells grown on acetate, on the model compound: hexadecane and the real substrate: diesel oil. Comparative transcriptomics of Rhodococcus erythropolis PR4 grown on n-hexadecane, diesel oil, and sodium acetate.
Project description:Groundwater-derived microorganisms are known to play an important role in biogeochemical C, S and N cycling. Thereby, the presence and majorly the activity of microorganisms in aquifers affect enormously the nutrient cycling. However, the diversity and their functional capability in natural aquifers are still rare and therefore a better knowledge of the core microbial communities is urgently needed. Metaproteome analysis was applied to characterize the repertoire of microbes in the depth and to identify the key drivers of major biogeochemical processes. Therefore, 1000 L water from the aquifer was sampled by filtration on 0.3 µm glass filters. After protein extraction, proteolytic cleavage and mass spectrometric analysis (Ultimate 3000 nanoRSLC coupled to Q Exactive HF instrument), 3808 protein groups (2371 proteins with ≥2 peptides) were identified from 13,204 peptides. The findings of our study have broad implications for the understanding of aquifer cycling’s which finally leads to a greatly improved understanding of the ecosystem services provided by the microbial communities present in aquifers. In the future, functional results would allow to monitor and to assess pollution effects which would beneficially assist groundwater resource management.
Project description:This study examines the transcriptomic response of biofilms of the PAH-degrading Sphingomonas sp. LH128 on solute stress when actively degrading and growing on the PAH compound. To address the effect of solute stress on bacterial physiology and transcriptomic response, NaCl was used as osmolyte. Both acute and chronic solute stress was invoked to assess differences in short-term and long-term responses.
Project description:This study examines the transcriptomic response of biofilms of the PAH-degrading Sphingomonas sp. LH128 on solute stress when actively degrading and growing on the PAH compound. To address the effect of solute stress on bacterial physiology and transcriptomic response, NaCl was used as osmolyte. Both acute and chronic solute stress was invoked to assess differences in short-term and long-term responses. Transcriptomic response of phenanthrene degrading Sphingomonas sp. LH128 biofilms as a response to short-term and long-term solute (NaCl) stress was studied using genome-wide gene expression analysis. For this purpose, the strain was grown in customized continuous glass flow chambers that contain solid phenanthrene as a sole carbon source and that allow easy recovery of biofilm cells for transcriptomic and physiological analysis. A NaCl stress of 450 mM was imposed on LH128 biofilms growing on phenanthrene crystals coated on glass slides either for 4 hours (acute stress) or for 3 days (chronic stress). RNA was extracted from the biofilm and cDNA was synthesized and labeled with Cy3. Transcriptomic response in the stressed biofilms of three replicates per conditions were analyzed and compared with non-stressed
Project description:The study aims essentially at the characterisation of suberin degradation mechanisms by Aspergillus nidulans, at a fundamental level. Suberin is an important protective barrier in plant, thus the study of its biodegradation significantly impacts on phytopatology. In addition, fungal suberin degrading enzymes might provide important insights to develop new waste management, bioremediation and biodeterioration prevention strategies.
