Microarray-based identification and quantification of molecular biomarkers for hydrogen-metabolizing microorganism communities to assess bioremediation potential for reductive dechlorination at contaminated sites

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Reductive dehalogenation of chlorinated organic compounds is often limited by electron donor, i.e. hydrogen availability. The development of biomarkers indicating hydrogen flux between hydrogen metabolizing microorganisms and the expression level of hydrogenase genes is promising to assess groundwater contaminant degradative potential. To identify significant biomarkers, in the proposed research first microarray-based tools will be developed to assess abundance and expression levels of hydrogenases in pure and enriched cultures as well as in environmental field samples. Second, microcosm studies with hydrogen-metabolizing microorganisms will be performed to assess kinetics of hydrogen-relevant transformation processes in correlation with quantity and expression levels of hydrogenase genes. Third, hydrogenase genes identified to be good expression markers by microarray analysis will be additionally quantified and quantitative data will be correlated with microbial activity. Derived correlations will result in novel tools to assess biodegradative potential for reductive dehalogenation at contaminated sites leading to a more effective management of bioremediation strategies.