Visualization and structural analysis of oxidized minerals produced by iron-oxidizing bacteria

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K21194
• Project/Area Number (Other): 18H06071 (2018)
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund (2019); Single-year Grants (2018)
• Review Section: 0702:Biology at cellular to organismal levels, and related fields
• Research Institution: Japan Women's University
• Principal Investigator: SUZUKI Tomoko 日本女子大学, 理学部, 研究員 (30623772)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-08-24 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 鉄酸化細菌 / 酸化鉱物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Leptothrix ochracea and Gallionella ferruginea, so-called iron-oxidizing bacteria have been recognized for their potential to form iron oxide (hydroxide) structures in natural aquatic environments. Their products (iron hydroxides) have unique structures as micro tubes or twisted stalks. In this study, formation process of micro tubular structures produced by which L. ochracesa has been cultured in ground water, was visualized using electron microscope. In addition I attempted to reconstruct three-dimensional images obtained from serial section scanning electron microscopy (array tomography) of the cell producing the iron hydroxides.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、当該細菌の生成する酸化鉱物を機能性材料と位置づけており、細菌の生成物を工業材料の創製に活用することを最終目標としている。本研究で得られた成果は、これまで培養ができなかった細菌を人為的に増やし、その酸化鉱物の生成過程の一端を明らかにできたことに意義がある。また、最新の電顕観察技法を用いて微生物と無機材料（酸化鉱物）を立体再構築している点においても学術的意義をもち、今後の技術的な課題についても浮き彫りにした。