Project Details
Projekt
Genomic Explorations into the Microbial Metabolisms of an Active Rift System
Applicant
Dr. Daniel Lipus
Subject Area
Palaeontology
Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
Term
from 2019 to 2022
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 419459207
Despite growing scientific and industrial interest, the terrestrial subsurface biosphere and its interactions with geological processes remain largely unexplored. Recent investigations into the subsurface of the geologically active Eger Rift region provided insights into the microbial community structure, suggesting the unique subsurface conditions, consisting of high CO2 concentrations, low pH, seismic activity, and high temperatures drive microbial population dynamics. The rare geochemical conditions are also assumed to provide an environment favorable for accelerated and unique microbial processes and interactions, making the subsurface in such systems a “hotspot” for microbial life. However, very little data on the metabolic capabilities and genomic activity of terrestrial subsurface microbial populations is currently available, necessitating the need for additional investigations.The goal of the proposed study is to build on the previous work, continue the research started under DFG project LI3509/1-1, and expand the current understanding of microbial processes in the Eger Rift, a unique, geologically active fault region, characterized by frequent CO2 degassing and mineral rich fluids, by investigating the metabolic potential and active gene expression through a multi-omic approach. Initial tests have aided in the development of a feasible DNA extraction method, supporting the feasibility of the initially proposed study, and permitting the use of modern, next generation sequencing based methods to investigate newly drilled core and CO2 rich water samples from the Cheb Basin in the Eger Rift, which are being recovered by the ICDP drilling project (Drilling the Eger Rift: Crust, mantle, and deep biosphere processes in an active continental rift) as of August 2019. State of the art genomic analyses will be used to identify active microbial communities, recover (novel) microbial genomes, reconstruct putative and active metabolic networks, and evaluate interactions between geochemistry and microbial ecology data. Collection of the first metagenomic data demonstrated subsurface drill core samples to be characterized by an acidophilic, sulfur oxidizing, and methanogenic microbial community adapted to the unique subsurface settings. The results from this study will provide groundbreaking insights on microbial life in the subsurface in seismically and fluid-active fault line regions and provide valuable data for future ICDP drilling projects.
DFG Programme
Infrastructure Priority Programmes
International Connection
Czech Republic, USA
Co-Investigators
Dr. Jens Kallmeyer; Professor Dr. Dirk Wagner
Cooperation Partners
Dr. Djuna Gulliver; Dr. Pavel Kyslik
