Research interestIn this project we will apply a combined approach based on the analysis of signature lipid biomarkers and functional gene analysis to study the diversity and activity of chemoautotrophic microorganisms in marine sediments. We will identify the carbon fixation pathways used by chemolithoautotrophs by quantifying the isotopic fractionation patterns of lipids and biomass in pure cultures and sediment incubations by stable carbon isotope analyses and by targeting genes of carbon fixation and re-oxidation pathways. The results from pure culture and sediment incubation studies will be used to examine the occurrence and role of chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms in ancient sediments by focusing on specific biomarker lipid molecules preserved in the geological record.
Darwin Center programs and projects3062: Tracing chemoautotrophic microbes in present and past sedimentary environments
Darwin Center publicationsY.A.. Lipsewers
N.J. Bale
E.C. Hopmans
S. Schouten
J.S. Sinninghe Damsté
L. Villanueva (2014). Seasonality and depth distribution of the abundance and activity of ammonia oxidizing microorganisms in marine coastal sediments (North Sea). Frontiers in microbiology5 (471): 1-12.
Darwin Center authors: Hopmans E. C., Lipsewers A., Schouten S., Sinninghe Damsté J. S., Villanueva L.Lengger, S.K., Lipsewers, Y.A., de Haas, H., Sinninghe Damsté, J.S., Schouten, S. (2014). Lack of 13C-label incorporation suggests low turnover rates of thaumarchaeal intact polar tetraether lipids in sediments from the Iceland shelf. Biogeosciences11(2): 201-216.
Darwin Center authors: Lengger S., Lipsewers A., Schouten S., Sinninghe Damsté J. S.