INL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Science

Progress

INL findings indicate the

value of both traditional

culture-based and molecular

nonculture-based methods of

characterizing microbial

communities. Traditional

methods yield isolates from

unique environments and

allow complete physiological

characterization such as

performed on samples from

gas hydrate-rich sediments

and deep sandstones and

shales of hydrocarbon-rich

sedimentary deposits. INL

molecular ecology methods

have led to assays that

identify specific microorganisms that prefer to be attached

Microbial and Molecular Ecology

The INL is expanding the classical methods for identifying important microbial

communities and for determining their numbers, activities, and capabilities. By

understanding environmental microbial communities and their physiologies, we can

use them for a range of environmental restoration, natural resource recovery, and energy

development applications. Molecular biology and surface chemistry disciplines are joined to

develop new ecological understanding of single-cell resources in both surface and subsurface environments. With the expansion of microbial genome sequencing, INL research will

lead to better understanding and application of microbial processes through detailed knowledge of gene expression under different conditions.

Continued on next page

(versus unattached) in the

subsurface; diversity of

methanotrophs in a basalt

aquifer; aquifer microbes that

can increase calcite precipitation; and, a heretofore

unrecognized archaeal

component in an oxic aquifer.

Future goals aim to quantify

the volumetric productivity of

subsurface microorganisms

that are degrading chlorinated

hydrocarbons, identify unique

messenger RNA that signifies

bioremedial activities, and

directly detect microorganisms on minerals using

secondary ion mass spectroscopy.
INL BIOTECHNOLOGY

05-GA50193-55

For more information

INL is a U.S. Department of Energy

national laboratory operated by

Battelle Energy Alliance

F.S. “Rick” Colwell, Ph.D.

(208) 526-0097

Fredrick.Colwell@inl.gov

Deborah T. Newby, Ph.D.

(208) 526-7779

Deborah.Newby@inl.gov

Continued from front

Selected Publications/

Presentations/Patents

F.S. Colwell and R.M.

Lehman, “Carbon Source

Utilization Profiles for

Microbial Communities from

Hydrologically Distinct Zones

in a Basalt Aquifer,” Microbial Ecology, Vol. 33, 1997,

pp. 240–251.

F.S. Colwell, T.C. Onstott,

M.E. Delwiche, D. Chandler,

J.K. Fredrickson, Q.J. Yao,

J.P. McKinley, D.R. Boone,

R. Griffiths, T.J. Phelps, D.

Ringelberg, D.C. White, L.

LaFreniere, D. Balkwill,

R.M. Lehman, J. Konisky,

and P.E. Long, “Microorganisms from Deep, High

Temperature Sandstones:

Constraints on Microbial

Colonization,” FEMS Microbiology Reviews, Vol. 20,

1997, pp. 425–435.

T.C. Onstott, T.J. Phelps,

F.S. Colwell, D. Ringelberg,

D.C. White, D.R. Boone, J.P.

McKinley, T.O. Stevens, P.E.

Long, D.L. Balkwill, W.T.

Griffin, and T. Kieft,

“Observations Pertaining to

the Origin and Ecology of

Microorganisms Recovered

from the Deep Subsurface of

Taylorsville Basin, Virginia,”

Geomicrobiology, Vol. 15,

1998, pp. 353–385.

D.E. Cummings, S. Spring,

and R.F. Rosenzweig, “The

Ecology of Iron-Reducing

Bacteria in Contaminated and

Pristine Environments,” In

Manual of Environmental

Microbiology, 2nd edition,

Hurst, C. J., R. L. Crawford,

G. R. Knudsen, M. J.

McInerney, and L. D.

Stetzenbach, eds., ASM Press,

Washington, DC, 2002.

Don Maiers

Manager,

Biological Sciences

(208) 526-6991

Donald.Maiers@inl.gov

Technical Contact

Management Contact

D.E. Cummings, A.W.

March, B. Bostick, S.

Spring, F. Caccavo, Jr., S.

Fendorf, and R.F.

Rosenzweig. “Evidence for

Microbial Fe(III) Reduction

in Anoxic, Mining-Impacted

Lake Sediments (Lake Coeur

d’Alene, Idaho),” Appl.

Environ. Microbiol. Vol. 66,

2000, pp.154-162.

F.S. Colwell, “Constraints on

the Distribution of Microorganisms in Subsurface

Environments,” In Subsurface

Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, J. Fredrickson

and M. Fletcher, eds., John

Wiley and Sons, New York,

NY, 2001, pp. 71-95.

R.M. Lehman, F.F. Roberto,

D. Early, D.F. Bruhn, S.E.

Brink, S.P. O’Connell, M.E.

Delwiche and F. Colwell,

“Attached and Unattached

Microbial Communities in

Closely-Paired Groundwater

and Core Samples From an

Acidic, Crystalline Rock

Aquifer,” Appl. Environ.

Microbiol. Vol. 67, 2001, pp.

2095-2106.

R.M. Lehman, F.S. Colwell,

and G.A. Bala, “Attached

and Unattached Microbial

Communities in a Simulated

Basalt Aquifer Under Fracture- and Porous-Flow

Conditions,” Appl. Environ.

Microbiol. Vol. 67, 2001, pp.

2799-2809.