Work

Marine sponges as microbial fermenters

Year: 2006

Type: review

Abstract: The discovery of phylogenetically complex, yet highly sponge-specific microbial communities in marine sponges, including novel lineages and even candidate phyla, came as a surprise. At the same time, unique research opportunities opened up, because the microorganisms of sponges are in many ways more accessible than those of seawater. Accordingly, we consider sponges as microbial fermenters that provide exciting new avenues in marine microbiology and biotechnology. This review covers recent findings regarding diversity, biogeography and population dynamics of sponge-associated microbiota, and the data are discussed within the larger context of the microbiology of the ocean.

Source: FEMS Microbiology Ecology

DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2005.00046.x

Authors: Ute Hentschel, Kayley M. Usher, Michael W. Taylor

Institutions: University of Würzburg, The University of Western Australia, University of Vienna

Language: English

Topic: Marine Sponges and Natural Products

Subfield: Biotechnology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, University of New South Wales, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg