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Published on: April 13, 2021
Optimized cryopreservation of mixed microbial communities for conserved functionality and diversity
Frederiek-Maarten Kerckhof1, Emilie N P Courtens1, Annelies Geirnaert1
1Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
Effective cryopreservation of valuable microbiomes was achieved using specific agents. This breakthrough enhances the availability and application of microbial communities in biotechnology and research.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Cryobiology
Background:
- Mixed microbial communities (microbiomes) are crucial for biotechnology but lack availability due to poor cryopreservation.
- Effective cryopreservation is needed to make microbiomes accessible from culture collections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cryopreservation protocols for diverse microbiomes.
- To assess the impact of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) on microbiome structure and function.
Main Methods:
- Cryopreservation of methanotrophic co-culture (MOB), OLAND biofilm, and human fecal microbiomes at -80°C for three months.
- Assessment of metabolic activity and community structure (16S rRNA sequencing) before and after cryopreservation.
- Comparison of two CPAs: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and DMSO plus trehalose and tryptic soy broth (DMSO+TT).
Main Results:
- CPAs enhanced the recovery of metabolic activity in MOB and OLAND microbiomes.
- Fecal microbiome activity was not significantly affected by CPAs, but community structure preservation was improved.
- Cryopreservation with CPAs successfully maintained both structure and function of value-added microbiomes.
Conclusions:
- Developed cryopreservation protocol preserves microbiome structure and function.
- This method will increase the accessibility and utilization of microbiomes in various biotechnological applications.
- Facilitates wider use of microbiomes by laboratories and culture collections.
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