Contributions of single-cell genomics to our understanding of planktonic marine archaea. (7th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santoro, A. E.; Kellom, M.; Laperriere, S. M.
• Is Part Of: Philosophical transactions. Volume 374:Number 1786(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10-07
• Subjects: thaumarchaea -- MGI archaea -- MGII archaea -- population biology; Biology -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-8436

Abstract

Abstract : Single-cell genomics has transformed many fields of biology, marine microbiology included. Here, we consider the impact of single-cell genomics on a specific group of marine microbes—the planktonic marine archaea. Despite single-cell enabled discoveries of novel metabolic function in the marine thaumarchaea, population-level investigations are hindered by an overall lower than expected recovery of thaumarchaea in single-cell studies. Metagenome-assembled genomes have so far been a more useful method for accessing genome-resolved insights into the Marine Group II euryarchaea. Future progress in the application of single-cell genomics to archaeal biology in the ocean would benefit from more targeted sorting approaches, and a more systematic investigation of potential biases against archaea in single-cell workflows including cell lysis, genome amplification and genome screening. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Single cell ecology'.