Found in a diverse range of environments, cyanobacteria play a significant role in the global atmospheric carbon cycle; in the oceans, they are responsible for reducing the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere by as much as 400 parts per million (ppm). Researchers are interested in learning more about how cyanobacteria react to environmental stressors…
Why sequence ORFRC Rahnella sp. Y9602?
Studies done at the DOE Oak Ridge Integrated Field Research Center (ORFRC) have shown that some microbes have the ability to effectively pull out heavy metals and other hazardous material from contaminated soils and groundwater. One of these microbes is Rahnella sp. Y9602, which has been shown to contain an enzyme that can effectively pull…
Why sequence obligate syntrophic bacteria capable of phthalate isomer compound degradation in methanogenic conditions?
Aromatic compounds make up a large portion of biomass and are important intermediates in the global carbon cycling. Among the most industrially used aromatic compounds are phenol and pthalate isomers, which are commonly discharged in industrial wastewater and have been listed as priority pollutants by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Aromatic compounds can be broken…
Why sequence a comparison of novel methanogens from peatlands and bioreactors?
Methanogens play a critical role in breaking down organic matters under anaerobic ecosystems such as peatlands and anaerobic digestion processes. Additionally, methane production from peatlands is estimated to contribute around 20 percent of total annual methane emissions in the world. Though methane is considered the second-most potent greenhouse gas, it is also a viable alternative…
Why sequence for reverse metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli?
Bioenergy researchers are interested in harnessing microbes to produce alcohols for fuel use because these cells are relatively easy to grow and study. The bacteria Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium glutamucum, both of which have been used to produce alcohols, have already been sequenced and had their genomes annotated. For this project, mutants of E. coli…
Why sequence freshwater manganese depositing β-proteobacterium (Siderocapsaceae)?
Stream biofilms are key component of stream food webs and contain bacteria that contribute to the carbon and nitrogen cycles. A slow-growing bacterium isolated from a freshwater stream biofilm has potential bioenergy and bioremediation applications. JOSHI_001 is part of a class of bacteria that deposit iron and manganese precipitates externally to the colony early in…
Why sequence Alkaliphilic sulfur oxidizing bacteria for sulfur pollution remediation?
Burning sulfur-containing fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, contributes significantly to global environmental problems, such as air pollution and acid rain, besides contributing to the loss of the ozone layer. One method of managing sulfur compounds released as byproducts from industrial processes is to scrub them out using chemical treatments and activated charcoal…
Why sequence thermophiles in Great Basin hot springs?
A thermophile is an organism that thrives in extremely hot temperature conditions. These conditions are found in the Great Basin hot springs, where the organisms have been exposed to unique conditions which guide their lifecycle. High temperature environments often support large and diverse populations of microorganisms, which appear to be hot spots of biological innovation…
Why sequence Acidobacterium species from Arctic tundra soils?
Arctic and boreal environments, the areas most impacted by global climate changes, cover nearly a quarter of the Earth’s surface. As temperatures rise, the carbon trapped in these regions is released, which in turn affects the global carbon cycle. To better understand the changes being wrought, the project calls for sequencing several bacterial strains isolated…
Why sequence microbes integral to the cycling of sulfur and iron?
Ten percent of the Earth’s surface is subglacial and holds a quarter of the world’s soil carbon. The environment was long thought to be incapable of supporting life, but recent studies have revealed that microbes thrive in these cold, dark regions though the processes that enable them to do so remain poorly understood. Researchers are…