Isolation and characterization of novel acidophilic archaea
Final Report Abstract
The aim of this project was the isolation and characterization of acidophilic nanoorganisms called ARMAN (Archael Richmond Mine Acidophilic Nanoorganisms). After 2.5 years of successive transfers in an anoxic medium and cultivation in a new established microfluidic device a stable co-culture was attained that is comprised of an ARMAN-1 related organism, as well as a new member within the Thermoplasmatales. The 16S rRNA identity of new member within the Themroplasmatales is only 91.6% compared to Thermogymnomonas acidicola and 91.7% compared to Cuniculiplasma divulgatum as the most closely related isolates. Hence, this organism is the first member of a new genus. The enriched ARMAN species is most probably incapable of sugar metabolism because the key genes for sugar catabolism and anabolism could not be identified in the metagenome. Metatranscriptomic analysis suggests that the TCA cycle funneled with amino acids is the main metabolic pathway used by the archaea of the community. Microscopic analysis revealed that growth of the ARMAN is supported by the formation of cell aggregates. These might enable feeding of the ARMAN by or on other community members.
Publications
- Machine assisted cultivation and analysis of biofilms. Bioarxiv
Hansen, SH, Kabbeck, T., Radtke, CP, Krause, S, Krolitzki, E, Peschke, T, Gasmi, J, Rabe, KS, Wagner, M,Horn, H, Hubbuch, J, Gescher, J, Niemeyer, CM
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1101/210583) - Characterisation of a stable laboratory co-culture of acidophilic nanoorganisms. Sci Rep. 2017 Jun; (7) 3298
Krause S, Bremges A, Münch PC, McHardy AC, Gescher J
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-03315-6)
