Application of Microarrays and qPCR to Identify Phylogenetic and Functional Biomarkers Diagnostic of Microbial Communities that Biodegrade Chlorinated Solvents to Ethene.

摘要

During this 4-year SERDP project, we've made great progress and success on the application of 16S rRNA-and mRNA-based microarray, along with quantitative PCR tools to monitor Dehalococcoides(Dhc)-contatining microbial communities capable of reductive dechlorination of chlorinated solvents. Dechlorination activities, as well as community structures were characterized in dechlorinating microbial communities, including laboratory-scale enrichment cultures, semi-batch microcosm, continuous-flow chemostat, and environmental samples from contaminated field sites. Firmicutes (Mostly Clostridium spp.), Bacteroidetes (Mostly Bacteroides spp.), as well as Proteobacteria (Mostly sulfate-reducer, i.e. Desulfovibrio spp.) were the most commonly found supportive microorganisms in those characterized communities. Since most of them are capable of fermenting organic compounds such as lactate and whey to acetate and hydrogen, it is indicated that these supportive microorganisms might play a role in providing hydrogen to Dhc.