The Essential Biology of Microbial Cooperation in H2 and CH4 Production

微生物伙伴之间的互养涉及代谢物的交换，使任何一种微生物单独都无法完成的过程成为可能。 这些互惠互利的关系现在被认为对全球碳循环做出了重要贡献。 然而，虽然互养代谢在自然界中几乎所有的厌氧环境中都被发现，但对这一重要生态过程的分子，生物化学或生理基础知之甚少。 Wolfei互养单胞菌-Hungatei甲烷菌共培养物是限制性互养关联的历史模型，因为这两种生物体都是在热力学平衡附近操作的互养专家，并且通过生态位相关的相互作用进化。 本计画将在一个明确定义的模型系统中描绘参与互养代谢的代谢与调控系统。 互养聚生体也是探索多物种微生物群落相互作用机制的优秀模型系统，因为对所使用的代谢物和每个互养伙伴的作用有很多了解。 因此，该项目将作为一个范例，研究代谢和基因表达在其他多物种微生物群落在关键生态栖息地。 该研究将开启下一阶段的研究，以破译这一鲜为人知的生物过程的基本原理。更广泛的影响该项目将加深对有趣的互养现象的理解，生物对全球碳循环的贡献，以及更广泛地了解微生物群落中起作用的潜在分子机制。 它将支持研究生和本科生在实验室研究方面的培训，涉及厌氧微生物学，微生物生理学，酶分析和分析化学。 各专业进修学院会继续积极参与在其所属院校编制本科生教材。 其中包括面向更广泛受众的网上材料。 现有方案的目标是扩大到包括机构有显着代表性不足的少数民族入学率和学生的弱势背景。 除了教育，目标是促进对微生物学的兴趣和热情。 这两个PI还将协助评判地方和/或国家科学博览会。

Intellectual MeritSyntrophy among microbial partners involves the exchange of metabolites, making processes possible that cannot be accomplished by either organism alone. These mutually beneficial relationships are now known to make essential contributions to the global carbon cycle. However, while syntrophic metabolism is found in nearly all anaerobic environments in nature, little is understood about the molecular, biochemical, or physiological basis of this important ecological process. The Syntrophomonas wolfei-Methanospirillum hungatei co-culture is the historical model for thermodynamically-limited syntrophic associations because both organisms are syntroph specialists that operate near the thermodynamic equilibrium, and that evolved by niche-associated interactions. This project will delineate the metabolic and regulatory systems involved in syntrophic metabolism in a well-defined model system. Syntrophic consortia are also excellent model systems to probe the mechanisms by which multispecies microbial communities interact because much about the metabolites used and the roles of each syntrophic partner is understood. Therefore, this project will serve as a paradigm for study of metabolism and gene expression in other multispecies microbial communities in key ecological habitats. The research will open up the next levels of study to decipher basic principles of this poorly understood biological process.Broader ImpactsThis project will deepen understanding of the interesting phenomenon of syntrophy, of biological contributions to the global carbon cycle, and more broadly of the underlying molecular mechanisms at play in microbial communities. It will support training of graduate and undergraduate students in laboratory research involving anaerobic microbiology, microbial physiology, enzyme analysis, and analytical chemistry. The PIs will continue to be actively involved in developing undergraduate educational materials at their respective institutions. These include web-based materials that provide access for a wider audience. Existing programs are targeted for expansion to include institutions having significant underrepresented minority enrollments and students with disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition to educating, a goal is to promote interest in and enthusiasm for microbiology. Both PIs will also assist in judging local and/or national science fairs.