Carbon recyclers: Sulfur bacteria break down organic substances in seabed

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: To determine which molecular tools the sulfate-reducing bacteria use, the researchers analyzed the entire set of proteins present, known as the proteome. In total, they looked at the results of 80 different test conditions. Each time, they seperated the protein mixture in several steps, until each individual compound could be identified. Here, a separating gel containing blue bands with proteins of similar size and charge is placed on a light table. A robot arm cuts pinhead-sized pieces from the gel, which can contain from just a few to more than hundred different proteins. These pre-sorted proteins are then further analyzed using a chromatograph and mass spectrometer. Credit: University of Oldenburg / Mohssen Assanimoghaddam Sulfate-reducing bacteria break down a large proportion of the organic carbon in ... Read full article.