The use of genomics, proteomics and other OMICS technologies for the global understanding of biomining microorganisms

Abstract

The use of genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and other OMICs approaches together with bioinformatics tools allows a global picture of how a microbial cell operates in its community to be obtained. The so-called Systems Microbiology approach treats the microorganism or community as a whole, integrating fundamental biological knowledge with OMICS research. The oxidative reactions resulting in the extraction of dissolved metal values from ores is the outcome of a consortium of different microorganisms. Therefore, this bioleaching community is particularly amenable for the application of Systems Microbiology. As more genomic sequences of different biomining microorganisms become available, it will be possible to define the molecular adaptations of bacteria to their environment, the interactions between the members of the community and to predict favorable or negative changes to efficiently control metal solubilization. Some key phenomena to understand the process of biomining are biochemistry of iron and sulfur compound oxidation, bacteria-mineral interactions (chemotaxis, cell-cell communication, adhesion, biofilm formation) and several adaptive responses allowing the microorganisms to survive in a bioleaching environment. These variables should be considered in an integrative way from now on. Together with recently developed molecular methods to monitor the behavior and evolution of microbial participants during bioleaching operations, Systems Microbiology will offer a comprehensive view of the bioleaching community.

OMICS approaches are providing exciting new findings that will allow not only predictions on how to keep the microbial consortium healthy but to make it more efficient during the entire process of bioleaching. Some of these recent discoveries will be briefly reviewed here.