Exploring the Role, Function, and Behavior of the Anaerobic Microbiota: Species, Communities, Networks, Biotechnological Potential, and Biomedical Aspects

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Background

This Research Topic is part of the series: Exploring the Role and Function of the Microbiota in Terrestrial Anaerobic Environments and their Potential Biotechnological Application

During anaerobic degradation energy can be gained via so-called alternative electron acceptors and, if those acceptors are lacking, via fermentation. Microbial degradation and subsequent processing of organic matter under anaerobic conditions is governed by the interdependence of a cascade-like, microbially driven consortium. In anaerobic biotechnology, engineered systems are designed for various applications including energy and (platform) chemical production as well as resource-recycling processes. For this purpose, natural cycles are adjusted to the respective requirements of the engaged microorganisms that perform individual degradation steps in a controlled environment. Although these systems are usually well-functioning, detailed knowledge about the microbially driven processes and their interactions is still scarce and reflects the difficulty of studying the potential of the involved microorganisms. The underlying natural processes, however, harbor significant future potential for discovering new microbial species.
Consequently, a proliferation of information regarding the role of microbial species living under anaerobic conditions in more detail is worthwhile. Furthermore, the identification and cultivation of yet undescribed species and their genetic potentials should increasingly attract scientific attention.

Considerable methodological progress, substantially on a molecular-biological level, has led to a better understanding of both, microbial community structures and successions as well as microbial interactions. However, limitations are still existing that hamper consolidating knowledge about metabolic and species information. Therefore, community genomic information is fundamental but often requires a combination of cultivation dependent biochemical and physiological analyses, cultivation independent approaches, such as stable isotope probing, but also RNA-based techniques to explore the diversity and function of anaerobic pure cultures and mixed microbial communities.
The present research topic aims to cover up-to-date investigations on the anaerobic microbiota of natural habitats, digestive tracts of animals, biomedical aspects of anaerobes, and biotechnological applications including but not limited to:
- the characterization of the anaerobic microbial community, including the physiology, ecology, and/or cultivation of anaerobic microorganisms;
- the investigation of the metabolic interactions within the anaerobic community: studies on pure or mixed cultures, rumen microbiota, biogas microbiology, and natural anaerobic habitats;
- studies on biomedical aspects of anaerobes including those engaged in the human digestive tract, investigations on stool classification and the microbial impact of anaerobes on human health;
- the potential of anaerobic communities in natural habitats, animals’ digestive tract, and biogas plants including community succession, presence and role of anaerobic fungi, and newly discovered anaerobic microorganisms;
- studies on methodological blockers to further promote anaerobic microbiology.

Submitted manuscripts should be hypothesis-driven. Authors must clearly state how their work contributes to significant conceptual or methodological advances that address the question or problem of interest. Submissions that fail to do so or provide only incremental advancement of knowledge will not be considered for review. Besides, Brief Research Reports, Data Reports, Genome Announcements, Systematic Reviews, and Case Reports will not undergo the review process.

Keywords: biotechnology, bioremediation, biomedicine, function, community, environment

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