Subsurface Microbiology Metabolism by HPLC

Cultivation-independent sequencing techniques have revealed a tremendous diversity of microorganisms on our planet. Although, the majority of microorganisms are not isolated and do not have sequenced genomes. While this applies to all fields of environmental microbiology, it does not prevent research from progressing. Conversely, in the field of subsurface microbiology the dearth of cultured representatives heavily restricts the simplest hypothesis driven experimentation.

In this work, we discovered a novel strict anaerobic thermophilic bacterium from a monitoring borehole at a depth of 691 meters below land surface. This borehole is of particular interests as it resides within the US Great Basin, in particular the Nevada National Security Site, underlain by the Death Valley Regional Flow System. The characterized isolate was given the name Thermoanaerosceptrum fracticalcis strain DRI-13T, and the sequenced genome coupled with methylome analysis reveal interesting insights into metabolism/energy conservation, gene regulation, DNA defences, and archival of previous viral aggressions.

This microorganism and others have been analysed using HPLC to track substrate utilization and waste product production in order to better understand the syntrophic interactions of subsurface life. The deep biosphere may reveal itself as an untapped resource of microbial biodiversity holding novel solutions to industrial, medical, and potential providing answer to the origins of life.