The project entitled “Evolution and diversity of biochemical pathways: a methylotrophic microbial observatory” has been funded by the National Science Foundation to M.E. Lidstrom and L. Chistoserdova in 2002. The ultimate goal of this project is to track down the evolutionary history of one biochemical pathway, the C1 transfer mediated by specific cofactors methanopterin and methanofuran that is a part of two environmentally important bioconversions, methanogenesis and methanotrophy.
The study site is Lake Washington, a pristine fresh water lake in Seattle, near University of Washington. Sediments from Lake Washington have been previously tested for methane production and consumption, and two major types of methanotrophic bacteria identified, but the diversity of microorganisms participating in these processes and the distribution of the C1 transfer functions among different microbial groups remain largely unknown.
The novelty of our approach is in targeting the most divergent and most ancient genes common to methanogenesis and methylotrophy, allowing for screening of a variety of microbial groups for the functions in question. Coupled with environmental metagenomics, this approach will result in expanded understanding of diversity of microbes possessing C1 transfer functions essential for bioconversions of important green house gases and provide insights into the evolution of methanogenesis and methylotrophy.
The project provides a high value outreach to the Pacific Northwest community. High school and undergraduate students are involved in research activities and are educated in microbial diversity, genomics and environmental science.