Visualizing Microbial Community Dynamics via a Controllable Soil Environment

Bhattacharjee, Arunima; Velickovic, Dusan; Wietsma, Thomas W.; Bell, Sheryl L.; Jansson, Janet K.; Hofmockel, Kirsten S.; Anderton, Christopher R. (ORCID:0000000261701033); Wilmes, ed., Paul

doi:10.1128/msystems.00645-19

DOE OSTI · 1598721

Visualizing Microbial Community Dynamics via a Controllable Soil Environment

Bhattacharjee, Arunima·Velickovic, Dusan·Wietsma, Thomas W.·Bell, Sheryl L.·Jansson, Janet K.·Hofmockel, Kirsten S.·Anderton, Christopher R. (ORCID:0000000261701033)·Wilmes, ed., Paul

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Abstract

Visualizing microbial community dynamics within soil environments remains challenging. Here, we developed a custom-built SoilBox system that facilitates probing various changes occurring in microbial community development and molecular processes when exposed to environmental perturbations (e.g., temperature changes, drought, nutrient availability). Using confocal microscopy along with mass spectrometry imaging, we demonstrate the power of this system by correlating microbial growth and spatial metabolic information from soil communities under different moisture regimes.

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Bhattacharjee, Arunima, Velickovic, Dusan, Wietsma, Thomas W., Bell, Sheryl L., Jansson, Janet K., Hofmockel, Kirsten S., Anderton, Christopher R. (ORCID:0000000261701033), Wilmes, ed., Paul. 2020-02-11. Visualizing Microbial Community Dynamics via a Controllable Soil Environment. https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00645-19

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