Systematic molecular measurements reveal key microbial populations driving community-wide phenotype

Poster (2013)

Natural microbial communities are heterogeneous and dynamic. Therefore, a major consideration for multiple omic data studies is the sample-to-sample heterogeneity, which can lead to inconsistent results ... [more ▼]

Natural microbial communities are heterogeneous and dynamic. Therefore, a major consideration for multiple omic data studies is the sample-to-sample heterogeneity, which can lead to inconsistent results if the different biomolecular fractions are obtained from distinct sub-samples. Conversely, systematic omic measurements, i.e. the standardised, reproducible and simultaneous measurement of multiple features from a single undivided sample, result in fully integrable datasets. Objective In order to prove the feasibility and benefits of such systematic measurements in the study of the respective contributions of different populations to the community-wide phenotype, we purified and analysed all biomolecular fractions, i.e. DNA, RNA, proteins and metabolites, obtained from a unique undivided sample of lipid accumulating microbial community (LAMC) from wastewater treatment plant and integrate the resulting datasets. Methods One time point of particular interest was first selected out of 4 LAMC samples for its high diversity and strong lipid accumulation phenotype. Then, the systematic measurement strategy was applied to the selected undivided LAMC sample and the purified biomolecules were analysed by high-throughput techniques. DNA and RNA sequencing reads were assembled at the population-level using different binning strategies. A database, containing predicted proteins, was constructed to identify the detected peptides. Finally, all biomolecular information was mapped onto the assembled composite genomes to identify the precise roles of the different populations in the community-wide lipid accumulation phenotype. Results Metabolomics and 16S diversity analyses were used to select the sample of highest interest for detailed analysis. The systematic measurements of the selected sample followed by data integration have allowed us to probe the functional relevance of the population-level composite genomes, leading to the identification of the LAMC key players. Conclusion As community phenotype is not the sum of the different partner phenotypes, understanding a microbial community system requires more than the study of isolated organisms. Even if both approaches are complementary, top-down systematic approached only provides a holistic perspective of micro-ecological processes. [less ▲]

Eco-Systems Biology of the Human Microbiome

Scientific Conference (2012, November)

humix: a microfluidics-based in vitro co-culture device for investigating human-microbial molecular interactions

Scientific Conference (2012, August 25)

Inferring basic ecological and evolutionary processes in microbial communities from molecular network analysis

Scientific Conference (2012, June)

Inferring synergism and antagonism in microbial communities from network dynamics

Presentation (2012, May)

From gut to sludge: Molecular Eco-Systems Biology of Microbial Consortia

Scientific Conference (2012)

A Biomolecular Isolation Framework for Molecular Eco-Systems Biology

Poster (2012)

With the advent of high-throughput omic technologies, powerful and sensitive methods are available for the analysis of nucleic acid, protein and small molecule complements obtained from biological samples ... [more ▼]

With the advent of high-throughput omic technologies, powerful and sensitive methods are available for the analysis of nucleic acid, protein and small molecule complements obtained from biological samples. Molecular eco-systems biology studies based on the integration of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic data are faced with major challenges arising from the complexity, dynamics and heterogeneity of mixed microbial consortia. In order to facilitate meaningful data integration, analysis and modeling, it is essential that biomolecular fractions obtained for high-throughput omic analyses are representative of single unique samples. We have developed a new methodological framework for the reproducible isolation of high-quality genomic DNA, large and small RNA, proteins, and polar and non-polar metabolites from single unique mixed microbial community samples. The methodology is based around reproducible cryogenic sample preservation and cell lysis. Metabolites are extracted first using organic solvents, followed by the sequential isolation of nucleic acids and proteins using chromatographic spin column technology. The methodology was validated by comparison to traditional dedicated and simultaneous biomolecular isolation methods. To prove the broad applicability of the methodology, we applied it to microbial consortia of biotechnological, environmental and medical interest. Importantly, the developed methodology will allow exploitation of the inherent heterogeneity and dynamics within microbial consortia through spatial and temporal sampling of biological systems to allow later deconvolution of community-wide, population-wide and individual-level processes using the generated omic data. This approach has the potential to identify associations between distinct biomolecules and which may provide pointers towards unravelling previously unknown metabolic processes. Finally, by providing a standardized workflow, the methodology lays the foundation for comparative eco-systematic studies of different natural microbial consortia in the future. [less ▲]

Deuterium-exchange metabolomics identifies N-methyl lyso phosphatidylethanolamines as abundant lipids in acidophilic mixed microbial communities

in Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society (2012), 8(4), 566-578

Natural microbial communities are extremely diverse and contain uncharacterized but functionally important small molecules. By coupling a deuterium (D) labeling technique to high mass accuracy untargeted ... [more ▼]

Natural microbial communities are extremely diverse and contain uncharacterized but functionally important small molecules. By coupling a deuterium (D) labeling technique to high mass accuracy untargeted liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spec- trometry (LC–ESI–MS) metabolomic analysis, we found that natural acidophilic microbial biofilms dominated by bacteria of the genus Leptospirillum contained unusual lyso phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipids in high abundance (more than 10 nmol/mg of dry biomass). The unusual polar head group structure of these lipids is similar to lipids found in phylogenetically unrelated acidophilic chemo- autolithotrophs and may be related to the affinity of these lipids for iron and calcium ions. Correlations of lyso phospholipid and proteome abundance patterns suggest a link between the lyso phospholipids and the UBA-type substrain of Leptospirillum group II. By combining untar- geted metabolomics with D exchange we demonstrate the ability to identify cryptic but biologically functional small molecules in mixed microbial communities. [less ▲]

Genome Sequence of "Candidatus Microthrix parvicella" Bio17-1, a Long-Chain-Fatty-Acid-Accumulating Filamentous Actinobacterium from a Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant

in Journal of Bacteriology (2012), 194(23), 6670-6671

Candidatus Microthrix bacteria are deeply branching filamentous actinobacteria which occur at the water-air interface of biological wastewater treatment plants, where they are often responsible for ... [more ▼]

Candidatus Microthrix bacteria are deeply branching filamentous actinobacteria which occur at the water-air interface of biological wastewater treatment plants, where they are often responsible for foaming and bulking. Here, we report the first draft genome sequence of a strain from this genus: "Candidatus Microthrix parvicella" strain Bio17-1. [less ▲]

Architecture reflects function: high-resolution microscopic and molecular insights into acid mine drainage biofilms

Scientific Conference (2011, August)