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Strategy to Uncover More Microbial Lineages

Biases in current sequencing technologies hide true breadth of microbial diversity. The Science DOE JGI researchers employed datasets from the Integrated Microbial Genomes (IMG) system to determine how many microbial lineages might be missed from available sequences in existing datasets due to mismatches with currently used Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) primers. PCR is a technology… [Read More]

Tracking Microbial Mat Formation in Yellowstone

Assessing real-time contributions of microbial communities toward mat formation. The Science Researchers determined the contributions of different microbes toward the establishment of microbial mat communities in the hot and acidic environments of the Yellowstone Hot Springs. The Impact Microbial mats serve as model systems for studying microbial interactions and their influence over biogeochemical processes. Understanding… [Read More]

JGI Interns at UC Merced Earn CAMP Merit Awards

As part of the ongoing partnership between DOE JGI and UC Merced to promote diversity and inclusion in science and research, two undergraduate students from UC Merced recently had summer internships in Walnut Creek. [Read More]

Seagrass Genome Sequence Lends Insights to Salt Tolerance

First marine flowering plant genome provides clues on how crops could adapt to saline environments. To mitigate carbon emissions in the atmosphere, researchers have turned to sinks–reservoirs that accumulate and store carbon such as tropical rainforests, but also including a variety of terrestrial plants as well as oceans. However, another lesser known but very large… [Read More]

Uncovering Hidden Microbial Lineages from Hot Springs

Metagenomics and single cell strategies help reveal a novel bacterial phylum. Although global microbial populations are orders of magnitude larger than nearly any other population in, on or around the planet, only a fraction has been identified thus far. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking to uncover the true extent of the planet’s… [Read More]

Highly Cited: 8 DOE JGI Researchers Make 2015 List

Millions of researchers worldwide publish millions of papers. Thomson Reuters compiles a Highly Cited Researchers database, listing based on the number of citations their work has received from fellow researchers. Among the factors that play into the database is the Essential Science Indicators in Web of Science, which tracks papers published in the past decade that rank in the… [Read More]

Genomic Basis for Herbivore Gut Syntrophy

Anaerobic fungi are found in the rumen or hindgut of large herbivores, where they partner naturally with methanogenic archaea in a type of symbiotic relationship known as syntrophy. In this mutualistic relationship, methanogens siphon off and utilize fungal waste products (hydrogen and carbon dioxide), thereby speeding fungal metabolism and enabling faster and more complete deconstruction… [Read More]

Microbial Nitrogen Cycling along the Colorado River

Extensive uranium groundwater contamination at DOE’s legacy ore processing sites has resisted extensive remediation attempts. One of these sites lies within the upper Colorado River Basin. The sediments here are referred to as naturally reduced zones (NRZs) because they are generally nutrient-poor and have abundant iron sulfide minerals. There is concern that NRZs are acting… [Read More]

A Pathobiome Database for Bioenergy Trees

Poplars and pines have been plant flagship agro-forestry crops for bioenergy production, resulting in large amount of resources being devoted to its production and improvement. One of the most important threats to the sustainable growth of trees in plantation is attack by pathogens. Two important aspects in preventing outbreaks are early detection, monitoring and surveillance…. [Read More]

Early Diverging Lineages of Fungi

Fungi inhabit most of the world’s ecological niches where they perform numerous services that are central to ecosystem functioning. Despite significant advancements in our understanding of the evolutionary relationships within Kingdom Fungi, the earliest diverging events are still very poorly understood. Resolving the earliest branches in the Kingdom Fungi is essential to identify the characteristics… [Read More]