Frontiers in Microbiology
Ancient Metabolisms of a Thermophilic Subseafloor Bacterium - NEW!
Amy R. Smith*, Ryan Mueller, Martin R. Fisk and Frederick S. Colwell
*C-DEBI Contribution 579

The ancient origins of metabolism may be rooted deep in oceanic crust, and these early metabolisms may have persisted in the habitable thermal anoxic aquifer where conditions remain similar to those when they first appeared. The Wood–Ljungdahl pathway for acetogenesis is a key early biosynthetic pathway with the potential to influence ocean chemistry and productivity, but its contemporary role in oceanic crust is not well established. Here, we describe the genome of a novel acetogen from a thermal suboceanic aquifer olivine biofilm in the basaltic crust of the Juan de Fuca Ridge (JdFR) whose genome suggests it may utilize an ancient chemosynthetic lifestyle. This organism encodes the genes for the complete canonical Wood–Ljungdahl pathway, but is potentially unable to use sulfate and certain organic carbon sources such as lipids and carbohydrates to supplement its energy requirements, unlike other known acetogens. Instead, this organism may use peptides and amino acids for energy or as organic carbon sources. Additionally, genes involved in surface adhesion, the import of metallic cations found in Fe-bearing minerals, and use of molecular hydrogen, a product of serpentinization reactions between water and olivine, are prevalent within the genome. These adaptations are likely a reflection of local environmental micro-niches, where cells are adapted to life in biofilms using ancient chemosynthetic metabolisms dependent on H₂ and iron minerals. Since this organism is phylogenetically distinct from a related acetogenic group of Clostridiales, we propose it as a new species, Candidatus Acetocimmeria pyornia.


Meetings & Activities

C-DEBI Virtual Meeting Series: How to Better Prepare Participants and Mentors for Preventing/Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Field - NEW!
If you missed this presentation by Dr. Ivona Cetinić (NASA Goddard) earlier this month, see the slides archived on the website on ways to create a safe and productive field climate, focusing on the role that PIs play in setting expectations for (and rules of) behavior, and the accountability for violations.

iDOOS: DOERs Early Career Professional Development Program
General enrollment for the DOERs program is now closed. However, we are still considering applications from dedicated future deep ocean leaders interested in the DOERs program. To be considered for enrollment, please send us an email (info@deepoceanobserving.org) with your name, job title, affiliation, email address, and a couple of sentences about why you are interested in the program.

AGU21: Geomicrobiology of the Deep Biosphere Sessions, December 17, 2021
At this year's AGU Fall Meeting, three hybrid Deep Biosphere sessions - two oral and one poster - will be presented on Friday December 17. Conveners Beth Orcutt, James Bradley, Julie Huber, and Maggie Osburn are delighted to have many early career scientists in these sessions, sharing the latest-and-greatest from continental and marine subsurface investigations. Check the links to see who and what is being presented! I: Oral Session (B53B) Friday 17 Dec 13:45-15:00 CST (UTC-6); II: Oral Session (B54A) Friday 17 Dec 15:30-16:45 CST (UTC-6); and III: Poster Session (B55J) Friday 17 Dec 17:00-19:00 CST (UTC-6). Register before the session December 17, 2021.

Gordon Research Conference/Seminar: Geobiology, January 29 - February 4, 2022
The GRS application deadline is January 1, 2022; The GRC application deadline is January 2, 2022.

IODP-USSSP: Apply to Sail as a Scientist on IODP Expedition 399: Building Blocks of Life, Atlantis Massif, April 7 - June 7, 2023
Application deadline: February 1, 2022. To learn more about the scientific objectives of Expedition 399, life at sea, and how to apply to sail, register in advance for the webinar on January 5, 2022 (11:00 AM EST).

C-DEBI Virtual Meeting Series: The Crustal Ocean Biosphere Research Accelerator (COBRA) – New Horizons for Deep-Sea and Subsurface Research Connected to Societal Issues, January 7, 2022 - NEW!
Building from the foundation of C-DEBI, a new NSF-funded network-of-networks started this fall called COBRA – the Crustal Ocean Biosphere Research Accelerator. The goal of COBRA is to generate new knowledge on the structure, function, resilience, and ecosystem services of the crustal ocean biosphere – life attached to the rocks at the bottom of the ocean – to inform decision-making relating to emergent industrial uses of the deep ocean, such as deep-sea mining and subseafloor carbon sequestration, and decrease the likelihood of serious harm to the environment while maintaining the broad benefits that society currently enjoys. COBRA will help to close knowledge gaps by bringing together stakeholders through virtual workshops and supporting cross-coordination and collaboration. As a global community of experts in deep sea and subseafloor deep biosphere science, the C-DEBI community is uniquely poised to make great contributions to COBRA efforts. Join this virtual meeting series to hear from COBRA Director Dr. Beth Orcutt and COBRA Associate Director Dr. Julie Huber (also both C-DEBI scientists) to learn more about how you can get involved and take advantage of opportunities. Register in advance of this meeting on January 7, 2022 (9:30 – 11:00AM Pacific Time).

COBRA (The Crustal Ocean Biosphere Research Accelerator): Apply for the 2022 Fellowship and Master Class - NEW!
The Crustal Ocean Biosphere Research Accelerator (COBRA) is pleased to announce a paid training opportunity in Spring 2022 that is open to international early career participants. The COBRA Early Career Deep-Sea Expedition “Master Class” will train COBRA fellows in deep-sea expedition planning from start to finish. This course will equip participants with the skills and tools to successfully design, propose, and execute deep-sea oceanographic field research, with a collaborative, just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive approach. Join the C-DEBI virtual meeting January 7 (above) to learn more about the Master Class and how to apply to participate. Applications are due January 15, 2022.

IODP-USSSP: Apply to Sail as Onboard Outreach Officer for IODP Expedition 397, 398 or 399
Applications due January 21, 2022.

NSF: COVID-19 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Challenge
Entries will be judged by NSF and three cash winners in each of four categories will be made. Entries will be accepted via Challenge.gov until January 30, 2022.

Goldschmidt 2022: Call for Abstracts for Hybrid Conference, July 10-15, 2022 - NEW!
Goldschmidt is the foremost annual, international conference on geochemistry and related subjects, organized by the Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry. The next Goldschmidt Conference will take place in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, USA and online from 10-15 July 2022. The abstract submission deadline is March 1, 2022. 

Gordon Research Conference/Seminar: Marine Microbes, May 28 - June 3, 2022
The GRS application deadline is February 28, 2022 (for Speaker Abstracts) or April 30, 2022. The GRC application deadline is May 1, 2022.

Ongoing Activities:

• C-DEBI: Community Workshop Support
• NAS: Call for "Ocean-Shot" Concepts - Transformative Research for the Decade