Elucidating the ecology and function of novel microorganisms that dominate oil fields

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19KK0389
• Research Category: Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research (A))
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biofunction/Bioprocess
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Mochimaru Hanako 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 地質調査総合センター, 主任研究員 (90462861)
• Project Period (FY): 2020 – 2023
• Keywords: 嫌気微生物 / 油ガス田 / 海洋底泥 / 細菌 / 古細菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Uncultured Atribacterota are known to be the dominant bacterial species in oil fields, marine sediments, and methane hydrate-containing strata. Although this phylum encompasses a phylogenetically diverse group, only one species has been isolated. This study aimed to isolate and identify new microorganisms from various marine samples. We isolated and characterized a culture from a new genus in the phylum Atribacterota. This is only the second isolate obtained from this phylum, and both strains have a membrane surrounding the nucleoid. Additionally, uncultured Archaea of the phylum Bathyarchaeota were successfully cultured from mangrove mud that can directly or indirectly utilize lignin-related substances.

Free Research Field

Geomicrobiology

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

微生物により原油がメタンガスに分解されている油田、メタンハイドレート含有層など、商業的に重要なメタン生成環境において、Atribacterota門細菌やBathyarchaeota門古細菌等が優占していることが知られている。しかし、分離株がほとんどなく、これらの微生物の環境中における役割は未知であった。これらの微生物の生態を明らかにすることはガス田の成因解明、探鉱、微生物によるメタンガスの増産に資する基盤的知見となる。