Elucidation of Direct and Indirect Cellular Interactions within Methanogenic Biofilms
EMSL Project ID
35095
Abstract
In light of the importance of exocellular transfer of reducing equivalents for interspecies H2 transfer, little work has been conducted on the effects of biofilm growth for syntrophic, methane producing cultures. Logic would predict that a close association of the two populations would promote efficient transfer, and certainly many studies have shown SRB and methanogen populations in close proximity (including Desulfovibrio spp.). Despite the known physiological and cellular relationships between sulfate-reducers and methanogens, little work has focused on the specific relationships between these cells in a biofilm state, and the effects that physiological growth states may have on methane production. Our preliminary data suggest that D. vulgaris initiates and establishes a biofilm that then recruites M. maripaludis, and the biofilm grows and changes over time as the numbers of both populations increase. Over the same time, the structure and function (methane-production) changes. We would like to use the expertise and facilities at EMSL to use three-dimensional reconstruction with electron tomography and the cryo-stage to observe the biofilm in a frozen-hydrated state in order to provide insight into direct and indirect interactions between the different populations. These techniques will complement our on-going studies.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2009-10-01
End Date
2011-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Brileya KA, LB Camilleri, GM Zane, JD Wall, and MW Fields. 2014. "Biofilm growth Mode Promotes Maximum Carrying Capacity and Community Stability During Product Inhibition Syntrophy." Frontiers in Microbiology 5:693. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2014.00693