Two sulphur-oxidizing, chemolithoautotrophic aerobes were isolated from the chemocline of an anchialine sinkhole located within the Weeki Wachee River of Florida. Gram-stain-negative cells of both strains were motile, chemotactic rods. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and predicted amino acid sequences of ribosomal proteins, average nucleotide identities, and alignment fractions suggest the strains HH1 T and HH3 T represent novel species belonging to the genus Thiomicrorhabdus . The genome G+C fraction of HH1 T is 47.8 mol% with a genome length of 2.61 Mb, whereas HH3 T has a G+C fraction of 52.4 mol% and 2.49 Mb genome length. Major fatty acids of the two strains included C 16 : 1 , C 18 : 1 and C 16 : 0 , with the addition of C 10:0 3-OH in HH1 T and C 12 : 0 in HH3 T . Chemolithoautotrophic growth of both strains was supported by elemental sulphur, sulphide, tetrathionate, and thiosulphate, and HH1 T was also able to use molecular hydrogen. Neither strain was capable of heterotrophic growth or use of nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor. Strain HH1 T grew from pH 6.5 to 8.5, with an optimum of pH 7.4, whereas strain HH3 T grew from pH 6 to 8 with an optimum of pH 7.5. Growth was observed between 15–35 °C with optima of 32.8 °C for HH1 T and 32 °C for HH3 T . HH1 T grew in media with [NaCl] 80–689 mM, with an optimum of 400 mM, while HH3 T grew at 80–517 mM, with an optimum of 80 mM. The name Thiomicrorhabdus heinhorstiae sp. nov. is proposed, and the type strain is HH1 T (=DSM 111584 T =ATCC TSD-240 T ). The name Thiomicrorhabdus cannonii sp. nov is proposed, and the type strain is HH3 T (=DSM 111593 T =ATCC TSD-241 T ).
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This content will become publicly available on December 1, 2024
Bridging Place-Based Astrobiology Education with Genomics, Including Descriptions of Three Novel Bacterial Species Isolated from Mars Analog Sites of Cultural Relevance
Democratizing genomic data science, including bioinformatics, can diversify the STEM workforce and may, in turn, bring new perspectives into the space sciences. In this respect, the development of education and research programs that bridge genome science with “place” and world-views specific to a given region are valuable for Indigenous students and educators. Through a multi-institutional collaboration, we developed an ongoing education program and model that includes Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing, free bioinformatic platforms, and teacher training workshops to address our research and education goals through a place-based science education lens. High school students and researchers cultivated, sequenced, assembled, and annotated the genomes of 13 bacteria from Mars analog sites with cultural relevance, 10 of which were novel species. Students, teachers, and community members assisted with the discovery of new, potentially chemolithotrophic bacteria relevant to astrobiology. This joint education-research program also led to the discovery of species from Mars analog sites capable of producing N-acyl homoserine lactones, which are quorum-sensing molecules used in bacterial communication. Whole genome sequencing was completed in high school classrooms, and connected students to funded space research, increased research output, and provided culturally relevant, place-based science education, with participants naming three novel species described here. Students at St. Andrew's School (Honolulu, Hawai‘i) proposed the name Bradyrhizobium prioritasuperba for the type strain, BL16AT, of the new species (DSM 112479T = NCTC 14602T). The nonprofit organization Kauluakalana proposed the name Brenneria ulupoensis for the type strain, K61T, of the new species (DSM 116657T = LMG = 33184T), and Hawai‘i Baptist Academy students proposed the name Paraflavitalea speifideiaquila for the type strain, BL16ET, of the new species (DSM 112478T = NCTC 14603T).
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- Award ID(s):
- 1711856
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10485781
- Author(s) / Creator(s):
- ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more »
- Publisher / Repository:
- Astrobiology
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Astrobiology
- Volume:
- 23
- Issue:
- 12
- ISSN:
- 1531-1074
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1348 to 1367
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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