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Related Concept Videos

Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles01:24

Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles

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Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...
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Microbial Nutrition01:28

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Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...
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Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...
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Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
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The deep ocean and its underlying sediments represent vast, largely unexplored microbial habitats that extend far beyond the sunlit photic zone. The photic (euphotic) zone typically spans the upper ~100–200 meters of pelagic waters in the open ocean, but its depth varies geographically and seasonally, where sufficient light supports photosynthetic life. Below this lies the deep sea, spanning roughly 1000–6000 meters (bathypelagic to abyssal zones), with deeper hadal trenches...
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Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a significant form of material degradation caused by the metabolic activities of microorganisms. This phenomenon poses substantial challenges across various industries, including oil and gas, maritime, and water treatment sectors.MIC occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, and fungi, colonize metal surfaces, forming biofilms that alter the local electrochemical environment. These biofilms can lead to the production of corrosive...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Laboratory Simulation of an IronII-rich Precambrian Marine Upwelling System to Explore the Growth of Photosynthetic Bacteria
09:45

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Buried Treasure: Evolutionary Perspectives on Microbial Iron Piracy.

Matthew F Barber1, Nels C Elde1

  • 1Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.

Trends in Genetics : TIG
|October 4, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Pathogens steal iron from hosts via

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary genetics
  • Host-pathogen interactions
  • Nutritional immunity

Background:

  • Host-pathogen interactions are key to understanding evolutionary genetics and natural selection.
  • Nutritional immunity, the sequestration of iron, is a critical host defense.
  • Pathogens evolve 'iron piracy' to acquire iron from hosts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary implications of microbial iron piracy.
  • To investigate iron piracy in relation to molecular arms races, host range, competition, and virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Evolutionary genetic approaches applied to microbial iron acquisition.
  • Analysis of host-pathogen interactions and microbial community dynamics.

Main Results:

Keywords:
arms raceevolutionimmunityironmicrobepathogen

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  • Iron piracy significantly impacts host-pathogen evolution.
  • This battle for iron influences microbial community interactions.
  • Evolutionary genetics offers insights into microbial iron acquisition.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding microbial iron piracy is crucial for evolutionary studies.
  • This research provides new avenues for combating infectious diseases.
  • Iron acquisition mechanisms are central to host-pathogen dynamics.