Bellevue University, in collaboration with the Winogradsky Institute of Biology and GEOMAR, announces the discovery of a new bacterium, Thioalkalicoccus limnaeus strain Um2, found in a hydrothermal system from Russia’s Baikal rift zone. The bacterium thrives in warm, alkaline, and slightly salty waters and contains bacteriochlorophyll b, which enables it to perform photosynthesis using internal tube-like structures.

When compared to similar bacteria, strain Um2 was found to be related to other Thioalkalicoccus species but shows genetic differences. The team has sequenced the first-ever complete genome of a Thioalkalicoccus bacterium and is proposing strain Um2 as the new reference strain for this species.

“This discovery advances our understanding of how bacteria survive in extreme environments,” said Dr. John Kyndt, Professor at Bellevue University. “Studying its ability to photosynthesize in harsh conditions and its interactions in complex microbiomes could lead to new ways to harness solar energy, and possibly contribute to environmental cleanup.”

The discovery of strain Um2 offers potential applications in environmental science, particularly in removing pollutants from water. Further comparison of its metabolic processes could also help discover new molecules for biotechnological practices.

For more details, read the full article here: https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/ijsem.0.006657#.

This blog was originally written by Dani Knipp and reposted with permission from the BU Newsroom site: https://news.bellevue.edu/bellevue-university-partners-in-discovery-of-new-bacterium-from-russias-baikal-rift-zone/