The rare biosphere; discovering how soil bacteria live on air

在光合作用潜力较低的南极沙漠，我们发现土壤微生物群通过一种依赖于微量气体的新过程来维持其能量和碳收支，我们将其命名为“大气化学合成”。但土壤细菌到底是如何在空气中生存的呢？该项目旨在揭示培养的土壤细菌中的功能性化学自养途径，这些细菌利用微量气体作为能量和碳获取的来源。我们将对第一个在基因上能够进行这一被忽视过程的模型细菌菌株进行生物地理学、转录组学和蛋白质组学。研究结果将促进有关微生物新陈代谢的知识，将氢氧化细菌的菌种扩展到土壤生态系统服务，主要是初级生产。

In Antarctic deserts where photosynthetic potential is low, we discovered that soil microbiomes sustain their energy and carbon budgets through a novel process reliant on trace gases we coined 'atmospheric chemosynthesis'. But how do soil bacteria literally live on air? This project aims to reveal functional chemoautotrophic pathways in cultured soil bacteria that use trace gases as a source of energy and carbon acquisition. We will perform biogeochamistry, transcriptomics and proteomics on the first model bacterial strains genetically capable of this overlooked process. Outcomes will advance knowledge on microbial metabolism, extending the repertoire of hydrogen-oxidising bacteria to soil ecosystem services, primarily primary production.