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Trace gas oxidation as a novel microbial dispersal trait
Lucas Barbieri Oliveri1, Pok Man Leung2
1Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|September 11, 2025
Summary
Microbes use trace gas oxidation to gain energy, enabling them to survive and disperse long distances outside their ideal habitats. This metabolic strategy is key to microbial persistence and colonization of new environments.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Microbial dispersal is crucial for colonization and community diversity.
- Energetic mechanisms for long-range microbial dispersal and survival in suboptimal conditions are poorly understood.
- Observational studies confirm high microbial dissemination capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a framework of microbial metabolic strategies for energy conservation during dispersal.
- To highlight trace gas oxidation as a novel mechanism for microbial persistence during dispersal.
- To propose future research directions on metabolic traits and microbial biogeography.
Main Methods:
- Categorical framework development for microbial metabolic strategies.
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on microbial dispersal and metabolism.
- Identification and characterization of trace gas oxidation in bacteria and archaea.
Main Results:
- Trace gas oxidation (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) is a widespread microbial trait.
- This metabolic strategy provides continuous energy acquisition from air.
- Energy acquisition sustains cellular maintenance at suboptimal conditions, aiding dispersal persistence.
Conclusions:
- Trace gas oxidation is a key metabolic strategy enabling microbial persistence during long-range dispersal.
- Understanding microbial metabolism is essential for explaining dispersal capabilities and biogeographical patterns.
- Future research should focus on the role of metabolic traits in microbial dispersal and distribution.
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