The Arctic Atmospheric Methane Oxidizer (AAMO): A multi-omics enabled Investigation of its Impact on the Arctic Methane Sink as

Science Theme: 
Terrestrial & Subsurface Ecosystems
Capabilities: 
Mass Spectrometry
Closed Date: 
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Lead Institution: 
Princeton University
Principal Investigator: 
Tullis Onstott
Project ID: 
48963
Abstract: 

The Arctic tundra is overwhelmingly an atmospheric methane sink and the microorganisms responsible is an USC-alpha type aerobic methanotroph. Its activity may be enhanced by proximity to surface moss. Although globally distributed the USC-alpha has never been isolated and its taxonomic identity has remained a mystery for 20 years. We propose to construct the genome of the USC-alpha-like arctic atmospheric methane oxidizer, or AAMO, using a combination of isotopes and "omic" tools.