In silico approaches to study mass and energy flows in microbial consortia: a syntrophic case study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Three methods were developed for the application of stoichiometry-based network analysis approaches including elementary mode analysis to the study of mass and energy flows in microbial communities. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages suitable for analyzing systems with different degrees of complexity and a priori knowledge. These approaches were tested and compared using data from the thermophilic, phototrophic mat communities from Octopus and Mushroom Springs in Yellowstone National Park (USA). The models were based on three distinct microbial guilds: oxygenic phototrophs, filamentous anoxygenic phototrophs, and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Two phases, day and night, were modeled to account for differences in the sources of mass and energy and the routes avail

SUBMITTER: Taffs R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2799449 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature