Scientists Have Discovered Multiple Marine Microorganisms That May Be Used To Develop New Antibiotics And Decompose Plastics

In the past 20 years, scientists have significantly increased the amount of microbial genomes collected from the ocean, which can help address major challenges such as antibiotic shortages, plastic pollution solutions, and genome editing. However, it has always been difficult to apply microbial genome information to biotechnology and medicine.

In a new study published in Nature titled "Global Marine Microbial Diversity and Its Potential in Bioprospecting," led by the BGI Genomics Research Center in China, in collaboration with Shandong University, Xiamen University, Ocean University of China, University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and University of East Anglia in the UK, researchers analyzed the genomes of nearly 43200 microorganisms (bacteria, archaea) from marine samples and discovered extensive diversity in 138 different populations. They provide new insights into how genome size evolves, such as how marine microorganisms balance the CRISPR Cas system (part of their immune defense) with antibiotic resistance genes. Many of these genes are activated by antibiotics to help microorganisms survive.

The CRISP Cas system and antibiotic resistance genes are also part of the bacterial immune system. Using computer-based methods, the research team discovered a new CRISPR-Cas9 system and 10 antimicrobial peptides, which are another important component of immune systems in different organisms.

Antibiotics, including antibiotics, antiviral drugs, antifungal drugs, and antiparasitic drugs, are drugs used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals, and plants. According to the World Health Organization, the increasing prevalence of drug resistance caused by overuse of certain drugs poses a threat to effective prevention and treatment of an increasing number of infections, making it necessary to seek new types.

The research team also discovered three enzymes that can break down a common plastic that pollutes the ocean - polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is another major environmental and health issue. Laboratory experiments have confirmed the research results of marine metagenomics, indicating its potential practicality.

Thomas Mock, Professor of Marine Microbiology at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, stated that "this work takes the field of marine metagenomics to a 'new level'. This study highlights how large-scale metagenomic sequencing of the marine microbiome can help us understand marine microbial diversity and its evolutionary patterns, and find new ways to apply this knowledge to biotechnology and medicine.

The ocean is the largest and most important ecosystem on Earth, and the interactions between marine microorganisms and their environment are the basis for processes such as carbon fixation and nutrient cycling on a global scale. These interactions contribute to the livability of the Earth. Factors such as salinity, temperature changes, light availability, and pressure differences from the surface to the seafloor, from the poles to the tropics, create unique selection pressures that affect the adaptation and coevolution of marine microorganisms.

Based on these insights, researchers use the marine microbial genome library retrieved from metagenomics as a key resource for genome mining and biological exploration, enabling the discovery of new genetic tools and bioactive compounds.
These data cover various marine environments worldwide, from polar regions to polar regions, from the sea surface to the deepest trenches. This study significantly improves people's understanding of the marine microbiome by creating a new publicly available database, which includes approximately 24200 species level gene sets.

The researchers stated, "Although previous studies have provided preliminary insights into the role of ocean systems in maintaining biodiversity, this new study not only builds on previous discoveries, but also provides new opportunities for sustainable exploration and utilization of the ocean. By using deep learning based genome mining of marine microbiota, combined with biochemical and biophysical laboratory experiments, advancing this work demonstrates the enormous potential to address global challenges such as antibiotic shortages and ocean pollution. The study emphasizes the critical role of marine microbiota in improving human well-being and promoting.