Speaker: Jennifer Glass
Affiliation: Georgia Tech Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Abstract:
Characterizing molecular mechanisms of marine carbon transformations is vital for predicting future changes to the marine carbon cycle. One-carbon molecules (e.g., methane, methanol, formate, carbon monoxide) are increasingly recognized as key energy and carbon sources for marine microbes. In this talk, I will highlight recent findings about the importance of nontraditional bio-essential trace elements, particularly tungsten and light rare earth elements, for metalloenzymes that catalyze microbial one-carbon metabolisms in the ocean. Alphaproteobacteria involved in one-carbon transformations in surface seawater may provide insights about the bacterial ancestor of mitochondria. They may also possess novel proteins for sensing, scavenging, and storing critical elements at picomolar concentrations in seawater that may be relevant for biotechnology.

Submitted by: Omar abuassaf (oabuassaf@epss.ucla.edu)