New Species of Light-harvesting Bacterium Discovered in Yellowstone

A team of researchers from Penn State led by Ernet C. Pollard and David Ward from Montana State University Park have discovered a novel bacterium that transforms light into chemical energy. The chlorophyll-producing bacterium Candidatus chloracidobacterium was discovered in the Yellowstone National Park, living amidst the world's largest diversity of heat-loving bacteria, a potential source of microbes with applications in biotechnology, for cleaning-up pollution, or in medicines.

"The microbial mats give the hot springs in Yellowstone their remarkable yellow, orange, red, brown and green colors," explained Bryant. "Since the microorganisms are very difficult to culture in the laboratory, the metagenomic technique becomes a powerful new tool for finding these hidden organisms and exploring their physiology, metabolism and ecology", he added. The technique involves isolating the DNA from the cells and conducting a shotgun sequencing procedure on a large scale. DNA analysis will reveal the types of genes and organisms present in the environment. The team focused on two genes: 16S ribosomal RNA, a crucial component of the machinery used by all living cells to manufacture proteins; and the gene for a protein called PscA, which is essential for converting light energy into chemical energy. 16S ribosomal RNA is distinctive in each species.

For details of the discovery and the scientific naming of the bacteria, see http://live.psu.edu/story/25129