Deciphering the biosynthetic landscape of biofilms in glacier-fed streams
Glacier-fed streams are characterized by low temperatures, high turbidity, and high flow. They host a unique microbiome within biofilms, which form the foundation of the food web and contribute significantly to biogeochemical cycles. Our investigation into secondary metabolites, which likely play an important role in these complex ecosystems, found a unique genetic potential distinct from other aquatic environments. We found the potential to synthesize several secondary metabolites, which may confer ecological advantages, such as UV protection and quorum sensing. This biosynthetic diversity was positively associated with the abundance and complexity of the microbial community, as well as concentrations of chlorophyll <i>a</i>. In the face of climate change, our study offers new insights into a vanishing ecosystem.
Authors
- Grégoire Michoud (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1071-9900)
- Tyler J. Kohler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5137-4844)
- Tom J. Battin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5361-2033)
- Michael Styllas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4385-0008)
- Hannes Peter (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9021-3082)
- Vincent De Staercke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3021-3416)
- Leïla Ezzat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4317-6458)
- Matteo Tolosano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0755-5303)
- Susheel Bhanu Busi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7559-3400)
- Martina Schön (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6437-8366)
- Aileen U. Geers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9162-9423)
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Ifremer (FR)
- Université de Montpellier (FR)
- Charles University (CZ)
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (GB)
- Marine Biodiversity Exploitation and Conservation (FR)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR)
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- mSystems
- Published
- 2024-12-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.01137-24
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.92
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Univerzita Karlova v Praze
- Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
- NOMIS Stiftung