- Number 318 |
- August 16, 2010
It takes "guts" to explore the next proteomics frontier
The research identified in the
termite hindgut microbial
community and their main
processes.
In the quest for new fuel sources, scientists at DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, DOE’s Joint Genome Institute, and the University of Florida are turning to an unlikely ally: the termite. The microbial community that resides in this home wrecker’s gut allows it to turn wood into chemicals. Using DOE EMSL resources, the team analyzed the metaproteome—all proteins—of the bacterial community in the hindgut paunch segment of the wood-eating termite. The goal? Define the contribution and sources of the microbial community’s enzymes. Initially, the team thought this information would lead to new enzymes to turn raw materials into the chemical ethanol, which can be used as fuel. While such insights remain elusive, the team gained new information on how the microbial community functions in the termite gut and uncovered important interactions in degrading wood products. DOE’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research funded this work.
[Kristin Manke, 509.372.6011,
Kristin.manke@pnl.gov]
