Hakon Mosby Mud Volcano Metagenome

Given the fact that our previous analyses -- see PRJNA248084 -- revealed limited microbial diversity in both domains of life in the central mud flow and that technical artifacts could be excluded, it was not necessary to perform an Illumina- based tag sequencing for comparative purposes with the 454-MPTS-based approach. To significantly advance our understanding of our CODL project, we would instead need to examine three samples taken along the habitat and microbial richness gradient, so as to identify potential functional characteristics that may lead to successful colonization of deep biosphere material. Therefore, an Illumina-based shotgun metagenomic approach was selected to best fit the goal of understanding structure-function relationships in HMMV sediments dominated by aerobic and anaerobic methanotrophic microorganisms. PI Alban Ramette Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research