Líffræðifélag Íslands
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2015

Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V90

Novel bacterial species from intertidal, geothermal areas in Iceland - a potent source of bioactive compounds

Edda Olgudóttir (1), Sólveig K. Pétursdóttir (1), Sólveig K. Ólafsdóttir (1), Ólafur H. Friðjónsson (1), Beata Wawiernia (1), Elísabet E. Guðmundsdóttir (1), Sigmar K. Stefánsson (1, 2), Snædís H. Björnsdóttir (1, 2), Guðmundur Ó. Hreggviðsson (1, 2 )

1 Matís ohf, Vínlandsleið 12, 112 Reykjavík, Iceland 2 University of Iceland, Sæmundargötu 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

Kynnir / Presenter: Edda Olgudóttir

Tengiliður / Corresponding author: Edda Olgudóttir (edda@matis.is)

Geothermal intertidal areas are highly dynamic. Constant periodic fluctuations occur during tidal cycles, steep gradients of temperature, salinity, mineral composition and UV radiation. Temperature gradients are manifested most clearly in the contrast between the hot geothermal water, emitted into the area, and the cold seawater. Samples of algal mats, from hot springs that emerge during low tide but are submerged at high tide, were collected from geothermal intertidal areas around Iceland. A total of 186 strains, belonging to 60 species, were isolated from areas on the coast of Iceland. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that 40% of the strains showed less than 96% similarity to closest relative. Many novel species were identified, including species belonging to the Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes phylum, which are known for producing secondary metabolites. Whole genome sequencing has been done for 23 strains in this project. One strain, MAT 4553, shows 90% similarity of the 16S rRNA gene to Rhodothermus marinus, which is known for utilizing many different carbohydrates and production of compatible solutes. It has also been used for various genetic manipulations. Whole genome sequence for MAT 4553 reveal potential carbohydrate degrading enzymes as well as genes for production of secondary metabolites. The bioactive compounds produced by MAT 4553 are currently being investigated and the description of MAT 4553 as the type strain of a novel genus is currently underway.