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Exploring bacterial Quorum Sensing Infochemicals and hydrolytic Proteins linked to marine Particle degradation

Objective

The ocean is by far the largest reservoir for carbon dioxide (CO2) on Earth and represents a driving force for climate mitigation. Through photosynthesis, active marine microorganisms (e.g. phytoplankton) convert atmospheric CO2 into biomass, where the majority of it is cycled in the surface waters by diverse processes including bacterial respiration and hydrolysis. Some of this biomass is exported as particulate organic carbon (POC) into the deep ocean, where bacterial cells play a critical role in regulating the efficiency of carbon export because they colonize and enzymatically hydrolyze POC as it sinks . A recent study suggested that signaling mechanisms within particle-associated bacterial communities enhance the activity of hydrolytic proteins involved in POC degradation. This overlooked process, known as quorum sensing, might impact the amount of carbon sequestered in the marine environment and ultimately affect the rate that CO2 is removed from the atmosphere.
Quorum sensing (QS) involves the excretion and reception of distinct signaling molecules, but the biogeochemical implications of these bacterial “conversations” are poorly understood. To date, only a few culture-independent studies on QS in the marine environment have been carried out. This project will elucidate the role of QS systems among marine bacteria in triggering the synthesis of specific infochemicals and hydrolytic proteins, as well as its impact on shaping particles and particle-associated bacterial communities. Proposed methods include mass spectrometry, proteomics, three-dimensional particle imaging, molecular assessment of bacterial assemblages, and in situ localization of bacteria on intact particles. The outcome of the project will provide critical information on the importance of QS in regulating the efficiency of POC degradation in the ocean, which is necessary to understand and predict future climate scenarios.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2014

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Coordinator

ALFRED-WEGENER-INSTITUT HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR POLAR- UND MEERESFORSCHUNG
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 239 860,80
Address
AM HANDELSHAFEN 12
27570 BREMERHAVEN
Germany

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Region
Bremen Bremen Bremerhaven, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 239 860,80

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