Omics on bioleaching: current and future impacts

Abstract

Bioleaching corresponds to the microbial-catalyzed process of conversion of insoluble metals into soluble forms. As an applied biotechnology globally used, it represents an extremely interesting field of research where omics techniques can be applied in terms of knowledge development, but moreover in terms of process design, control, and optimization. In this mini-review, the current state of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics of bioleaching and the major impacts of these analytical methods at industrial scale are highlighted. In summary, genomics has been essential in the determination of the biodiversity of leaching processes and for development of conceptual and functional metabolic models. Proteomic impacts are mostly related to microbe-mineral interaction analysis, including copper resistance and biofilm formation. Early steps of metabolomics in the field of bioleaching have shown a significant potential for the use of metabolites as industrial biomarkers. Development directions are given in order to enhance the future impacts of the omics in biohydrometallurgy.

Metabolômica: Definições, Estado-Da-Arte E Aplicações Representativas

“…188,189 Um segmento novo e que vem sendo explorado na indústria e estudado pelas ciências ômicas é o processo de biolixiviação, que consiste na conversão de metais, frutos de rejeitos industriais, catalisada por microorganismos. 190 Na área médica o foco é voltado para pesquisas sobre diagnóstico de infecções, 179,191 resistência ou desenvolvimento de novos fármacos, 192,193 produção de vacinas 185,194 e antibióticos 195 a partir de microorganismos.…”

Microbial copper resistance: importance in biohydrometallurgy

“…These procedures enable to build metabolic models, predict microbial interactions, defining genetic diversity and study microbial evolution. Some of the findings obtained by using these molecular procedures for the study of biomining microorganisms and their metal resistance have been recently reviewed (Mart ınez et al, 2015;C ardenas et al, 2016). Genomics has been of great importance to define the biodiversity of biomining processes and has allowed developing both conceptual and metabolic models for some of the acidophilic microorganisms involved.…”

“…By using metabolomics, some specific metabolites may be used as markers to follow the evolution in time of industrial bioleaching operations (Mart ınez et al, 2013). On the other hand, proteomics has been useful to study microorganisms-mineral interactions and biofilm formation (Mart ınez et al, 2015), including copper resistance as described in the next section.…”

“…Global changes in gene expression and metabolite levels allow exploring both cannonical and new possible mechanisms of metal resistance and also likely unknown passive or active metal tolerance systems. It is expected that a detailed knowledge of the responses that these environmental microorganisms use to adapt to their harsh niche will help to improve biomining and metal bioremediation in industrial processes (Jerez, 2013;Mart ınez et al, 2015).…”

“…Several recent reviews related to biomining methods and the microorganisms involved are available (Brierley and Brierley, 2013;Norris et al, 2013;Vera et al, 2013;Kaksonen et al, 2014;Wheaton et al, 2015;Zhuang et al, 2015;C ardenas et al, 2016;Harrison, 2016;Hedrich and Schippers, 2016). They cover bacteria and archaea involved in biohydrometallurgy, and describe the new findings obtained by using Omics techniques, such as genomic DNA sequencing of single species or metagenomic sequencing of the microbial communities involved, proteomics and metaproteomics and metabolomics (Mart ınez et al, 2015). The recently published book 'Acidophiles: Life in Extremely Acidic Environments' (Quatrini and Johnson, 2016) is also a reference of great interest as most of its chapters are related to aspects important for bioleaching.…”