Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Osvaldo Ulloa, Carlos Henriquez-Castillo, Salvador Ramirez-Flandes, Alvaro M. Plominsky, Alejandro A. Murillo, Connor Morgan-Lang, Steven J. Hallam, Ramunas Stepanauskas
Summary: Prochlorococcus, the most abundant photosynthetic organisms in the modern ocean, influence elemental cycling and energy flow. Research suggests that Prochlorococcus may have diverged from other cyanobacteria under low-oxygen conditions and transitioned from phycobilisomes to transmembrane chlorophyll complexes. These findings are crucial for understanding the ecology and evolution of this genus.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Chloe A. Whicker, Mark G. Flanner, Cheng Dang, Charles S. Zender, Joseph M. Cook, Alex S. Gardner
Summary: Accurate modeling of cryospheric surface albedo is crucial for understanding climate change. SNICAR-ADv4 is a model that simulates the albedo of snow and ice under various conditions, taking into account factors such as light absorption and physical properties of the ice.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meng-Yun Chen, Wen-Kai Teng, Liang Zhao, Bo-Ping Han, Li-Rong Song, Wen-Sheng Shu
Summary: In this study, the evolutionary trajectory and driving forces of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by cyanobacteria were explored through genome analysis. The distribution of diazotrophic cyanobacteria carrying nitrogen fixation gene clusters (NFGCs) was found to be uneven and shaped by multiple independent losses. Two types of NFGCs were identified, with one type being ancestral and abundant, and the other type resembling anaerobic bacteria and sparse, possibly acquired through horizontal gene transfer. The origin of BNF in cyanobacteria coincided with major evolutionary events such as the origin of multicellularity and simultaneous genetic innovations.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriela Rocio Sosa Benegas, Suzan Prado Fernandes Bernal, Valeria Maia de Oliveira, Michel Rodrigo Zambrano Passarini
Summary: The study revealed the potential of Antarctic bacteria to inhibit the proliferation of Microcystis aeruginosa and degrade microcystin-LR, suggesting their possible application in mitigating cyanobacterial blooms in the future as an alternative or supporting approach.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Marie Adomako, Dustin Ernst, Ryan Simkovsky, Yi-Yun Chao, Jingtong Wang, Mingxu Fang, Christiane Bouchier, Rocio Lopez-Igual, Didier Mazel, Muriel Gugger, Susan S. Golden
Summary: The genome comparison of S. elongatus strains reveals the early domestication pattern of laboratory strains and the effects of differences in large prophage regions, operons, and even single nucleotides on phenotypes. The study provides a pangenome description of S. elongatus and improves the sequence accuracy of the type strain PCC 6301. A clarification is made regarding a confusion-causing SNP in the circadian response regulator rpaA.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keith Bouma-Gregson, Alexander Crits-Christoph, Mathew R. Olm, Mary E. Power, Jillian F. Banfield
Summary: The study demonstrates that in river networks, the impact of separation by distance and environment on genetic diversity of microbial populations can be investigated through genome analysis, helping to determine the driving factors behind genetic diversity.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Tiago Leao, Mingxun Wang, Nathan Moss, Ricardo da Silva, Jon Sanders, Sergey Nurk, Alexey Gurevich, Gregory Humphrey, Raphael Reher, Qiyun Zhu, Pedro Belda-Ferre, Evgenia Glukhov, Syrena Whitner, Kelsey L. Alexander, Robert Rex, Pavel Pevzner, Pieter C. Dorrestein, Rob Knight, Nuno Bandeira, William H. Gerwick, Lena Gerwick
Summary: This study focuses on describing the natural product genetic potential and expressed natural product molecules in benthic tropical cyanobacteria, utilizing a multi-omics approach. Results indicate that despite the presence of genes encoding for peptidic natural products, peptides are not as abundant as lipids and lipopeptides in the chemical extracts. The study highlights promising biosynthetic gene clusters for genome mining among these cyanobacterial samples.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ma. Angeles Cabrera, Sebastian L. Marquez, Jose M. Perez-Donoso
Summary: This study investigated the TNT-transforming capability of three novel Pseudomonas spp. isolated from Deception Island, Antarctica. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that these isolates have a high abundance of key enzymes related to the degradation of fluorobenzoate, TNT, and bisphenol A. They also possess unique genes involved in TNT transformation and the beta-ketoadipate pathway for aromatic compound degradation.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jessica E. Lumian, Anne D. Jungblut, Megan L. Dillion, Ian Hawes, Peter T. Doran, Tyler J. Mackey, Gregory J. Dick, Christen L. Grettenberger, Dawn Y. Sumner
Summary: By investigating cyanobacteria's ability to sustain oxygenic photosynthesis in sulfidic environments, the study found that Phormidium pseudopriestleyi utilizes specific genomic content to tolerate sulfide, indicating potential mechanisms including gene expression regulation or direct sulfide oxidation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Theotime Roussel, Sebastien Halary, Charlotte Duval, Berenice Piquet, Jean-Paul Cadoret, Lea Vernes, Cecile Bernard, Benjamin Marie
Summary: This study confirmed that Spirulina belongs to the genus Limnospira, and discovered that L. platensis has a large intra-specific diversity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tiantian Chen, Yun Liu, Zhangxi Hu, Shuqun Song, Caiwen Li
Summary: The study systematically investigated the interactions between the parasitic dinoflagellate Amoebophrya and its host Akashiwo sanguinea, revealing the infectivity of the parasite, changes in cell structure, and impact on photosynthesis-related gene expression levels.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Hwee Sze Tee, Susanna A. Wood, Keith Bouma-Gregson, Gavin Lear, Kim M. Handley
Summary: Comparative analysis revealed significant genetic differences between toxic and nontoxic Microcoleus strains, with toxic strains potentially having reduced metabolic flexibility and dependence on coexisting nontoxic strains. The study sheds light on metabolic and evolutionary discrepancies between toxic and nontoxic Microcoleus, aiding in the prediction and management of aquatic blooms.
Article
Microbiology
Yen- Cheng, Yu-Chen Lin, Jyh-Yih Leu, Chih-Horng Kuo, Hsiu-An Chu
Summary: This study conducted whole-genome sequencing of Thermosynechococcus to explore the genetic differentiation among strains of this genus. The results revealed gene content divergence congruent with core genome phylogeny and provided valuable resources for future functional characterization.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mahir Bozan, Denny Popp, Rene Kallies, Ulisses Nunes da Rocha, Stephan Klaehn, Katja Buehler
Summary: Cyanobacteria have great potential in biotechnologies, and this study focuses on the development of molecular tools for genetic engineering, as well as the design of chassis strains and novel reactor concepts. The genome sequence of Tolypothrix sp. PCC 7712 is provided, and it is found to have high similarities with Tolypothrix sp. PCC 7601, but also some specific variations. These findings are important for targeted strain engineering.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Cecilio Valadez-Cano, Adrian Reyes-Prieto, Daniel G. Beach, Cheryl Rafuse, Pearse McCarron, Janice Lawrence
Summary: The presence of toxigenic benthic cyanobacteria in riverine ecosystems is a global concern. In 2018, the death of three dogs in Canada was linked to anatoxin exposure from benthic microbial mats. DNA sequencing of cyanobacterial isolates from the mat samples revealed that some produced anatoxins while others did not. Genomic comparisons showed that toxigenic and non-toxigenic Microcoleus subspecies coexisted with differences in the presence/absence of the anatoxin-a biosynthesis cluster.
Article
Biology
B. D. A. Naafs, G. Bianchini, F. M. Monteiro, P. Sanchez-Baracaldo
Summary: The 2-methylhopanes are molecular fossils of 2-methylbacteriohopanepolyols and are among the oldest biomarkers on Earth. Studies show that the gene responsible for their synthesis is widespread in cyanobacteria and proteobacteria, suggesting their dominant presence in these bacterial cultures. Geological records indicate the occurrence of 2-methylhopanes from the Paleoproterozoic onwards, with high abundances associated with climatic and biogeochemical perturbations during the Phanerozoic.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patricia Sanchez-Baracaldo, Giorgio Bianchini, Jamie D. Wilson, Andrew H. Knoll
Summary: Cyanobacteria, as the only prokaryotes with oxygenic photosynthesis, have had a significant impact on the biology and chemistry of our planet. Genomic and evolutionary studies have enriched our understanding of early phototrophs and their role in the global carbon cycle. Cyanobacteria diversified after the Great Oxidation Event and played a crucial role in shaping the Earth's environment.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mukan Ji, Weidong Kong, Hongzeng Jia, Chen Ding, Alexandre M. Anesio, Yanfen Wang, Yong-Guan Zhu
Summary: This study used high-throughput sequencing to examine the characteristics of algal, bacterial, and fungal communities in red and green snow in the Antarctic Peninsula, revealing distinct features. The microbiome in red snow exhibited a more stable network and higher complexity compared to green snow, indicating a higher resistance to external disturbances.
Article
Ecology
L. Perini, C. Gostincar, M. Likar, J. C. Frisvad, R. Kostanjsek, M. Nicholes, C. Williamson, A. M. Anesio, P. Zalar, N. Gunde-Cimerman
Summary: Heavily pigmented glacier ice algae reduce the albedo of the Greenland Ice Sheet, contributing to eustatic sea-level rise. In an experimental study, it was found that the fungus P. anthracinoglaciei had a positive relationship with glacier ice algae, while Articulospora sp. did not seem to be involved in pigment conversion. Additionally, the presence of the zoosporic fungus Chytridiomycota increased, suggesting their role as decomposers or parasites of glacier ice algae.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Alexandra T. Holland, Christopher J. Williamson, Andrew J. Tedstone, Alexandre M. Anesio, Martyn Tranter
Summary: This study provides the first contemporaneous measurements of the concentration and speciation of dissolved nitrogen in snow, meltwater, and ice during the onset of the ablation season at a site within the Dark Zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Variability in ammonium and dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations in meltwater may be due to microbial uptake and production within the melting snow pack. The presence of liquid meltwater at the snow-ice interface and the absorption of solar radiation by pigmented glacier algae may allow photosynthesis to begin under the thinning snowpack in micro-melt environments.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yongqin Liu, Mukan Ji, Tao Yu, Julian Zaugg, Alexandre M. Anesio, Zhihao Zhang, Songnian Hu, Philip Hugenholtz, Keshao Liu, Pengfei Liu, Yuying Chen, Yingfeng Luo, Tandong Yao
Summary: The study presents a comprehensive glacier microbial genome and gene catalog from Tibetan glaciers, which includes genomes and metagenome-assembled genomes representing 968 candidate species from 30 phyla. The catalog also contains over 25 million non-redundant protein-encoding genes and has demonstrated its utility in exploring secondary metabolite biosynthetic potentials, identifying virulence factors, and comparing global glacier metagenomes.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Eva L. Doting, Cleo L. Davie-Martin, Anders Johansen, Liane G. Benning, Martyn Tranter, Riikka Rinnan, Alexandre M. Anesio
Summary: This study presents the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from active microbial communities in supraglacial habitats on the southern Greenland ice sheet. The results show that VOC emissions were highest from bare ice surfaces, with some compounds exhibiting antifungal activity, suggesting a potential defense mechanism against fungal infections. These findings indicate that Greenland ice sheet microbial habitats could be potential sources of VOCs, which may play a significant role in supraglacial microbial interactions and local atmospheric chemistry.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Lou-Anne Chevrollier, Joseph M. Cook, Laura Halbach, Hans Jakobsen, Liane G. Benning, Alexandre M. Anesio, Martyn Tranter
Summary: This study investigates the impact of snow and ice algae on the albedo of glacier and ice-sheet surfaces using empirical data and a radiative transfer model. It finds that ice algae have a higher absorption capacity, but their blooms have a comparable impact on surface albedo due to different light conditions. Reconstructing the effect of ice algae on bare ice, the study shows that blooms can locally reduce the albedo by 3 to 43%, equivalent to 1-10 L m(-2) of melted ice per day. Future studies can explore biological albedo reduction and algal quantification using remote sensing imagery.
JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura Halbach, Lou-Anne Chevrollier, Eva L. Doting, Joseph M. Cook, Marie B. Jensen, Liane G. Benning, James A. Bradley, Martin Hansen, Lars C. Lund-Hansen, Stiig Markager, Brian K. Sorrell, Martyn Tranter, Christopher B. Trivedi, Matthias Winkel, Alexandre M. Anesio
Summary: This study investigates the effects of pigmented algae on the surface of glaciers and ice sheets, finding that they enhance solar energy absorption and amplify ice melt. The main pigments were purpurogallin and astaxanthin esters, which affected dissolved organic matter concentrations. The energy absorption of snow algae was much lower than expected due to pigment packaging, while glacier ice algae had significantly higher energy absorption. Snow algae may contribute up to 13% of total biological radiative forcing on bare ice.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
James A. Bradley, Christopher B. Trivedi, Matthias Winkel, Rey Mourot, Stefanie Lutz, Catherine Larose, Christoph Keuschnig, Eva Doting, Laura Halbach, Athanasios Zervas, Alexandre M. Anesio, Liane G. Benning
Summary: Glacier and ice sheet surfaces are home to diverse microbial communities that influence biogeochemical cycles and ice melting. Using molecular analyses and incubations, this study found that a high proportion of active bacteria are present on snow and ice surfaces, even when frozen. These findings have important implications for understanding the impact of climate change on polar regions and for studying potential life on icy worlds, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of microbial activity on glacier surfaces.
Article
Geography, Physical
Shunan Feng, Joseph Mitchell Cook, Alexandre Magno Anesio, Liane. G. G. Benning, Martyn Tranter
Summary: Albedo is an important factor affecting solar radiation absorption on ice surfaces. Satellite measurements show a general decrease in albedo on the Greenland ice sheet, particularly in the Dark Zone (albedo < 0.45). This study used a combination of Landsat 4-8 and Sentinel 2 imagery to derive the longest record of albedo variations in the Dark Zone from 1984 to 2020. By developing a sensor transformation method, the researchers obtained consistent and harmonized satellite imagery. The results indicate an expansion of the Dark Zone and a decrease in albedo over time.
JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Laura Halbach, Lou-Anne Chevrollier, Joseph M. Cook, Ian T. Stevens, Martin Hansen, Alexandre M. Anesio, Liane G. Benning, Martyn Tranter
Summary: The surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet is darkening, accelerating its melt. The role of glacier ice algae in reducing surface albedo is acknowledged but poorly quantified, and the feedbacks between the algae and the weathering crust are not well understood. The letter summarises recent advances and identifies three key research priorities to better understand and forecast algal-driven melt.
ANNALS OF GLACIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Gilda Varliero, Pedro H. Lebre, Beat Frey, Andrew G. Fountain, Alexandre M. Anesio, Don A. Cowan
Summary: Microbial communities and nutrient dynamics in glaciers and ice sheets are constantly changing due to hydrological conditions. Glaciers and ice sheets act as bioreactors, as microbiomes transform nutrients and impact meltwater chemistry. Global warming affects nutrient and cell export, altering proglacial systems. This review integrates current understanding of glacial hydrology, microbial activity, and nutrient and carbon dynamics, highlighting their interdependence, variability, and impact on proglacial environments.
Article
Plant Sciences
Marie Bolander Jensen, Laura Perini, Laura Halbach, Hans Jakobsen, Lumi Haraguchi, Sofia Ribeiro, Martyn Tranter, Liane Benning, Alexandre Anesio
Summary: Cultures of Ancylonema sp. were successfully established and maintained for up to 2 years by optimizing growth media and parameters. The genetic diversity of these cultures was found to be rich, and they were confirmed to belong to the same clade as A. nordenskioldii and A. alaskanum. Despite successful growth and long-term maintenance, laboratory settings can be further improved for optimal growth conditions.
Article
Microbiology
Ate H. Jaarsma, Katie Sipes, Athanasios Zervas, Francisco Campuzano Jimenez, Lea Ellegaard-Jensen, Mariane S. Thogersen, Peter Stougaard, Liane G. Benning, Martyn Tranter, Alexandre M. Anesio
Summary: The microbiome of Greenland Ice Sheet supraglacial habitats was investigated using a combination of culturing-dependent and -independent approaches. The study found that high-throughput sequencing provided insights into dominant community members, while isolates obtained through culturing did not represent these dominant taxa. The study also demonstrated the usefulness of metagenome SSU rRNA genes in reflecting overall community diversity.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2023)