Microbial lipids: The three domain ‘lipid divide’ revisited

Description du projet

De nouvelles méthodes analytiques révèlent la structure des lipides microbiens

Les lipides sont des composants essentiels des membranes cellulaires qui jouent un rôle central dans la vie telle que nous la connaissons. Cependant, le profil des lipides diffère entre les bactéries, les archées et les cellules eucaryotes, ce qui suggère des déviations potentielles dans la biosynthèse des lipides au cours de l’évolution. Financé par le Conseil européen de la recherche, le projet MICROLIPIDS se propose de développer des techniques analytiques de pointe afin de faire progresser notre connaissances des lipides microbiens. Les chercheurs feront appel à des techniques telles que la chromatographie en phase liquide et la spectrométrie de masse à haute résolution pour analyser des cultures de bactéries et d’archées. Les résultats du projet permettront de mieux comprendre l’évolution des lipides, leur utilisation en tant que marqueurs microbiens et leur application dans les sciences de la terre.

Objectif

Tremendous progress has been made in the last decade in the genetic characterization of microorganisms, both in culture and in the environment. However, our knowledge of microbial membrane lipids, essential building blocks of the cell, has only marginally improved. This is remarkable since there exists a dichotomy in the distribution of lipids between the three Domains of Life. Diacyl glycerols based on straight-chain fatty acids are produced by bacteria and eukaryotes, whereas archaea synthesize isoprenoidal glycerol ether lipids. From a microbial evolutionary perspectives, this ‘lipid divide’ is enigmatic since it has recently become clear that eukaryotes evolved from the archaea. Preliminary results of my research group show that when novel analytical methodology is used, there is a large hidden diversity in microbial lipid composition that may resolve this fundamental question. Here I propose to systematically characterize prokaryotic intact polar lipids (IPLs) with state-of-the-art analytical techniques based on liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry to bring our knowledge of microbial lipids to the next level. To this end, we will characterize (i) 250+ bacterial and archaeal cultures and (ii) 200+ environmental samples for IPLs by HPLC-MS, complemented by full identification of fatty acids and other lipids released after acid hydrolysis of total cells. This approach will be complemented by the characterisation of functional genes for lipid biosynthesis. This will involve both mapping of known genes, based on the analysis of published whole (meta)genome data, as well as the identification of as yet unknown genes in selected groups of prokaryotes. The results are expected to make a fundamental contribution to (i) our understanding of the evolution of biosynthesis of membrane lipids, (ii) their application as microbial markers in the environment, and (iii) in the development and application of organic proxies in earth sciences.

Champ scientifique

Régime de financement

ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant

Institution d’accueil

STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTEN

Contribution nette de l'UE

€ 2 499 426,00

Adresse

WINTHONTLAAN 2
3526 KV Utrecht
Pays-Bas

Région

West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht

Type d’activité

Research Organisations

Liens

Contacter l’organisation Site web

Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE

Réseau de collaboration HORIZON

Coût total

€ 2 499 426,00

Bénéficiaires (1)

STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTEN

Pays-Bas

Contribution nette de l'UE

€ 2 499 426,00

Description du projet

De nouvelles méthodes analytiques révèlent la structure des lipides microbiens

Objectif

Champ scientifique

Programme(s)

Thème(s)

Appel à propositions

Régime de financement

Institution d’accueil

Bénéficiaires (1)

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