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Title: Mixed and membrane-separated culturing of synthetic cyanobacteria-yeast consortia reveals metabolic cross-talk mimicking natural cyanolichens

Journal Article · · Scientific Reports
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [2]
  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Washington State University, Pullman, WA (United States)
  2. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  3. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (United States)

Metabolite exchange mediates crucial interactions in microbial communities, significantly impacting global carbon and nitrogen cycling. Understanding these chemically-mediated interactions is essential for elucidating natural community functions and developing engineered synthetic communities. This study investigated membrane-separated bioreactors (mBRs) as a novel tool to identify transient metabolites and their producers/consumers in mixed microbial communities. We compared three co-culture methods (direct mixed, 2-chamber mBR, and 3-chamber mBR) to grow a synthetic binary community of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 and the fungus Rhodotorula toruloides NBRC 0880, as well as axenic S. elongatus. Despite not being natural lichen constituents, these organisms exhibited interactions resembling those in cyanolichens. S. elongatus fixed CO2 into sugars as the primary shared metabolite, while R. toruloides secreted various biochemicals, predominantly sugar alcohols, mirroring the metabolite exchange observed in natural lichens. The mBR systems successfully captured metabolite gradients and revealed rapidly consumed compounds, including TCA cycle intermediates and amino acids. Our approach demonstrated that the 2-chamber mBR optimally balanced metabolite exchange and growth dynamics. This study provides insights into cross-species metabolic interactions and presents a valuable tool for investigating and engineering synthetic microbial communities with potential applications in biotechnology and environmental science.

Research Organization:
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (United States); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830; SC0019388
OSTI ID:
2476534
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--182988
Journal Information:
Scientific Reports, Journal Name: Scientific Reports Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 14; ISSN 2045-2322
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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