Learning How Bacteria Communicate
New tool identifies molecules that influence microbial communities.
The Science
Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) used a novel technique that noninvasively analyzes microbes to profile the chemicals that a cyanobacterium produces to influence nearby microorganisms.
The Impact
Understanding how bacteria, algae, and other microbes influence or communicate with each other by exchanging molecules could provide insights useful for advancing sustainable bioenergy.
Summary
Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 was found to steadily secrete two molecules, sucrose and glucosylglycerol, that could be used as resources by nearby bacteria. To chemically profile the microbial communities in both space and time, researchers used a technique called nanospray desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, or nanoDESI, developed at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a DOE scientific user facility.
Contact
Ingela Lanekoff
Chemical and Materials Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PO Box 999, K8-88 Richland, WA 99352
Ingela.Lanekoff@pnnl.gov
Funding
This research was conducted under the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program at PNNL, a multiprogram national laboratory operated by Battelle for DOE.
Publications
Lanekoff, I., Geydebrekht, O., Pinchuk, G.E., Konopka, A.E., and Laskin, J. “Spatially resolved analysis of glycolipids and metabolites in living Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 using nanospray desorption electrospray ionization.” Analyst 138 (7), 1971–1978 (2013). [DOI: 10.1039/C3AN36716A].
Highlight Categories
Performer: DOE Laboratory , SC User Facilities , BER User Facilities , EMSL
