> Research > Programs and projects > Theme 1 & 2

Nitrate respiration by benthic foraminifera
Project leader: Prof. dr. ir. M. S. M. Jetten
Researcher(s): Dr. L.A.M.P. van Niftrik
Starting date: 1-jun-07

Abstract
The samples from a large number of marine sediments collected in close coordination with the partners from Utrecht University (see below) will be used by the post-doc at Radboud University Nijmegen. The aim is to study a wide variety of living foraminifera from anoxic, nitrate-rich sediment layers. The mitochondria of these species will be purified and their denitrification rates will be determined. DNA will be extracted from purified mitochondria and whole foraminifera. This DNA will be used for the PCR amplification of genes involved in the denitrification, for direct sequencing (454 technology) and for the construction of genomic clone libraries. The obtained sequences will be subjected to phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses. By the use of polyclonal antibodies and epifluorescence or electron microscopy, gene products involved in denitrification will be localized. The obtained results will give valuable information about the origin and evolution of foraminiferal denitrification. This will allow us to assess the role of foraminiferal denitrification to the past and present marine and global N-cycle.

Publications
Schmid, M.C., Risgaard-Petersen, N., van de Vossenberg, J., Kuypers, M.M.M., Lavik, G., Petersen, J., Hulth, S., Thamdrup, B., Canfield, D., Dalsgaard, T., Rysgaard, S., Sejr, M.K., Strous, M., Op den Camp H.J.M., & Jetten, M.S.M. (2007). Anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria in marine environments: widespread occurrence but low diversity. Environ. Microbiol9: 1476-1484.
Darwin Center authors: op den Camp H. J. M., Jetten M. S. M.

Schmid, M.C., Hooper, A.B., Klotz, M.G., Woebken, D. Lam, P., Kuypers, M.M.M., Pommering-Roeser, A., Op den Camp, H.J.M. & Jetten, M.S.M. (2008). Environmental detection of the octaheme cyctochrome c hydroxylamine/hydrazine oxidoreductase genes of aerobic and anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria. Environmental Microbiology10: 3140-3149.
Darwin Center authors: op den Camp H. J. M., Jetten M. S. M.

Klotz, M.G., Schmid, M.C., Strous, M., Op den Camp, H.J.M., Jetten, M.S.M. & Hooper, A.B. (2008). Evolution of an octaheme cytochrome c protein family that is key to aerobic and anaerobic ammonia oxidation by bacteria. Environmental Microbiology10: 3150-3163.
Darwin Center authors: op den Camp H. J. M., Jetten M. S. M.

Kartal B, van Niftrik L, Rattray J, van de Vossenberg JL, Schmid MC, Sinninghe Damsté JS, Jetten MSM, Strous M. (2008). Candidatus 'Brocadia fulgida': an autofluorescent anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacterium. FEMS Microbiol Ecol63: 46-55.
Darwin Center authors: Jetten M. S. M., van Niftrik L.A.M.P., Sinninghe Damsté J. S.

Lam, P., Lavik, G., Jensen, M.M., van de Vossenberg, J., Schmid, M., Woebken, D., Gutiérrez, D., Amann, R., Jetten, M.S.M. & Kuypers, M.M.M. (2009). Revising the nitrogen cycle in the Peruvian oxygen minimum zone. PNAS106: 4752-4757.
Darwin Center authors: Jetten M. S. M.

Pavlekovic, M., Schmid, M.C., Schmider-Poignee, N., Spring, S., Pilhofer, M., Gaul, T., Fiandaca, M., Löffler, F.E., Jetten, M.S.M., Schleifer, K.H. & Lee, N.M. (2009). Optimization of three FISH procedures for in situ detection of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria in biological wastewater treatment. J Microbiol Methods78: 119-126.
Darwin Center authors: Jetten M. S. M.

Nardy Kip Wenjing Ouyang Julia van Winden Ashna Raghoebarsing Laura van Niftrik Arjan Pol Yao Pan Levente Bodrossy Elly G. van Donselaar Gert-Jan Reichart Mike S. M. Jetten Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté and Huub J. M. Op den Camp (2011). Detection, Isolation, and Characterization of Acidophilic Methanotrophs from Sphagnum Mosses. applied and environmental microbiology77: 5643-5654.
Darwin Center authors: op den Camp H. J. M., Jetten M. S. M., Kip D. J., van Niftrik L.A.M.P., Reichart G. J., Sinninghe Damsté J. S., van Winden J. F.