Communications Biology (May 2021)

High biodiversity in a benzene-degrading nitrate-reducing culture is sustained by a few primary consumers

  • Chrats Melkonian,
  • Lucas Fillinger,
  • Siavash Atashgahi,
  • Ulisses Nunes da Rocha,
  • Esther Kuiper,
  • Brett Olivier,
  • Martin Braster,
  • Willi Gottstein,
  • Rick Helmus,
  • John R. Parsons,
  • Hauke Smidt,
  • Marcelle van der Waals,
  • Jan Gerritse,
  • Bernd W. Brandt,
  • Wilfred F. M. Röling,
  • Douwe Molenaar,
  • Rob J. M. van Spanning

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-01948-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

Read online

Chrats Melkonian and colleagues use metagenomics and transcriptomics to study microbial dynamics in a 15-year old bioreactor. In contrast to what is expected in a system where benzene is the primary carbon and energy source, relatively few members of the microbial community can degrade this compound. The results have implications for understanding interdependencies within such a community.