Methane producing bacteria: immunological characterization. Final report, April 1, 1981-March 31, 1984

Technical Report · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5149857

de Macario, E C; Macario, A J.L.; Wolin, M J

Methanogenic bacteria, or methanogens, were studied systematically with immunologic techniques. A comprehensive bank of reference antisera was organized from which calibrated antibody probes were generated of high resolution power for rapid bacterial identification and classification, and for examining samples from complex ecosystems. A method was standardized for antigenic fingerprinting methanogens. The major finding was that these bacteria form an immunologically coherent group, with subgroups of antigenically related members. Antigenic relationships paralleled the phylogenetic organization delineated by comparisons of 16S rRNA nucleotide sequences, and by cell-wall chemistry. Thus, immunologic data emerged as one of the three basic tenets of the notion that methanogens belong in a third primary kingdom, the archaebacteria, evolutionarily different from eubacteria and eukaryotes. The findings, methods and antibodies produced by work supported by this grant proved also of practical usefulness in various applications, notably monitoring the bacterial flora of bioreactors. Direct examination of specimens is now possible by simple and specific immunologic procedures, in a few hours. The full potential of the new methodology will be explored in the immediate future.

• Research Organization: New York State Dept. of Health, Albany (USA). Center for Labs. and Research
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-81ER10880
• OSTI ID: 5149857
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/10880-T2; ON: DE84009344
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANTIBODIES
ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY REACTIONS
BACTERIA
BIOASSAY
BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
BIOLOGY
CLASSIFICATION
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES
TAXONOMY