Microscale Spectroscopic Analyses of Cellulose Degradation and
Uptake by a Microbial Community
EMSL Project ID
38193
Abstract
We seek to describe the acquisition and incorporation of cellulose-derived C into a complex microbial community that was been enriched from soil. In doing so at batch culture scales we will further our current understanding of the movement of C through a microbial community, e.g., differentiate between cellulose degradation products that are microbially labile (degradable) vs. microbially stabilized (recalcitrant) and determine if there is systematic incorporation and release of metabolites. Complementary work at microscales will provide a new foundation for understanding the acquisition and uptake of substrates by microorganisms using extracellular cellulytic enzymes in complex spatially organized systems. Specifically, we will use batch cultures, labeled C substrates, very simple two-dimensional microfluidic platforms, and Raman spectroscopy to (1) describe the allocation of cellulose-derived labeled C in a batch-grown complex microbial community, and its assimilation through the different biomolecules that compose the microbial biomass as the community matures and grows; and (2) describe the allocation of this newly acquired C within the microbial community at the microscale; transferring the community to a fresh slide (batch culture) or platform (microscale), we will also measure the incorporation of the cellulose-derived C by the community and report any other exudates containing the label.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2009-12-14
End Date
2010-12-19
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Bailey VL, SJ Fansler, JC Stegen, and LA McCue. 2013. "Linking Microbial Community Structure to ?-Glucosidic Function in Soil Aggregates." The ISME Journal 7(10):2044-2053. doi:10.1038/ismej.2013.87