A Set of In Situ Informed Simulated Medium Formats for Culturing Environmentally Acquired Anaerobic Microorganisms

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Culturing anaerobic microorganisms requires specialized methods to maintain growth conditions and prevent environmental compromise.
• In situ informed methods can improve the success of culturing microorganisms from their native environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline an in situ informed and simulated anaerobic method for culturing terrestrial surface and subsurface microorganisms.
• To detail a protocol for anaerobic sample collection with minimal perturbation.
• To describe an anaerobic bioreactor for environmental simulations.

Main Methods:

• Development of a customizable anaerobic liquid medium.
• Protocol for environmental sample acquisition and in vitro anaerobic growth.
• Construction and utilization of an anaerobic bioreactor for simulating environmental conditions.
• Preliminary Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for microbiome analysis.

Main Results:

• Successful culturing of anaerobic microorganisms using the developed method.
• Demonstration of dynamic microbiome adjustments within the bioreactor in response to experimental carbon sources.
• Preliminary NGS data revealed microbial community shifts over the bioreactor's lifespan.

Conclusions:

• The presented method provides a robust approach for culturing anaerobic microorganisms from terrestrial environments.
• The anaerobic bioreactor effectively simulates in situ conditions, allowing for microbiome studies.
• The findings highlight the dynamic nature of microbial communities and their response to environmental changes.