Metagenomic insights into microbial diversity and metabolic potential of hot spring ecosystems

Abstract

Hot water springs or hydrothermal springs are places where warm or hot water comes out of earth surfaces regularly or for a significant period, in a year. These ecosystems present an epitome of extreme environments and are extensively distributed all over the globe. Geographically, these ecosystems encompass unique physical and chemical characteristics. Interestingly, 16S rRNA gene analysis in combination with next-generation sequencing has provided in-depth knowledge about phylogeny and the metabolic potential of a particular environment, including the hot springs. Every hot spring is unique and dynamic in its characteristics compare to the other. Investigation of metagenome from diverse ecological habitats, using high-throughput sequencing or library construction, has led to the discovery of a number of novel biocatalysts. Metagenomic studies in recent years have achieved two major goals: first it has resulted in deep understanding about structural and functional dynamics of microbial communities, and secondly, it has led to the discovery of diverse novel bioactive molecules. This book chapter will shed light into the role of metagenome gene cloning in revealing the true and comprehensive diversity and the metabolic potential of microbes in hot spring ecosystems.