Deciphering the Biosynthetic Landscape of Biofilms in Glacier-fed Streams

Overview

Journal mSystems

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2025 Jan 2

PMID 39745394

Authors

Aileen Ute Geers

Gregoire Michoud

Susheel Bhanu Busi

Hannes Peter

Tyler J Kohler

Leila Ezzat

Tom J Battin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Importance: Glacier-fed streams are characterized by low temperatures, high turbidity, and high flow. They host a unique microbiome within biofilms, which form the foundation of the food web and contribute significantly to biogeochemical cycles. Our investigation into secondary metabolites, which likely play an important role in these complex ecosystems, found a unique genetic potential distinct from other aquatic environments. We found the potential to synthesize several secondary metabolites, which may confer ecological advantages, such as UV protection and quorum sensing. This biosynthetic diversity was positively associated with the abundance and complexity of the microbial community, as well as concentrations of chlorophyll . In the face of climate change, our study offers new insights into a vanishing ecosystem.

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