Comparative Investigation of Physiological Features of Cellulose Utilization by Bacteria

A collaborative project is proposed with the overall objective of advancing understanding of distinctive physiological features of cellulose utilization by anaerobic bacteria. Model organisms to be studied, Clostridium thermocellum and Ruminococcus flavefaciens, represent a diversity of cellulose-degrading environments and exhibit among the highest growth rates on cellulosearnong described microorganisms, Task 1 involves documentation of cell/cellulase allocation as wen as the control of cellulase synthesis. A particular focus of Task 1 is to be use of a recently-developed ELISA-based method to independently quantify cell and cellulase concentrations, Task 2 involves characterization of substrate uptake and phosphorylation.., This includes characterizing the avemge length of oligomers taken up by the eeU during g;rowfh on 'cellulose, and determining the relative !importance of phpspborylytic and hydrolytic metaboHsm ofceHodextrbls, Task 3 targets documentation of glycocaJyx composition and yields, Task 4 involves bioenergetic .analysis of microbial cellulose utiHzation. This will allow us to test and extend understanding of ATP supply and demand based on information obtained in the ,course of completing Tasks I through 3, In addition to being significant in a fundalnental cont,ext, projeclt ,'esults are expected to provide information of value for subsequent development of microorganisms for practical biocollversion process,es.