Microbial Genomics
at the U.S. Department of Energy

Research

Why Microbes?

Benefits
Landmark Discoveries

Educational Tools

Disclaimer
Contact Us
Awards
Site Statistics

Primer on Microbial Genomics cont'd

Microbes and Climate Change

In the past 60 years, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted, mainly through expanding use of fossil fuels for energy, has risen dramatically and is thought to contribute to global climate change. Unless we make major alterations in the way we produce and use energy, predictions for the next century suggest a continued increase in emissions as well as rising concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In addition to controlling fossil fuel emissions, other methods must be explored for stabilizing or decreasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Nitrosomonas One of the many poorly understood aspects of the global warming phenomenon is the role that specific microorganisms play in the natural carbon cycle on earth. As part of its Carbon Management Science Program, DOE hopes to stabilize or decrease atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations by identifying ways to manage carbon levels in the terrestrial biosphere. One avenue of exploration is to sequence the genomes of microbes that use carbon dioxide as their sole carbon source. These organisms include Nitrosomonas europaea (pictured), Prochlorococcus marinus, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Nostoc punctiforme, and a marine Synechococcus.

[Electron photomicrograph of Nitrosomonas, copyright Stan Watson (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)]

Next: Shaking Up the Tree of Life

Text from Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Microbial Genome Program Report, 2000.

Send the url of this page to a friend

Last modified: Friday, September 23, 2005

Base URL: microbialgenomics.energy.gov

Site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research

	Human Genome Project Information Genomics:GTL DOE Microbial Genomics home


	Microbial Genomics at the U.S. Department of Energy
	Home Research Research Programs Sequencing Candidates Organisms & Progress Research Highlights DOE Publications Other Microbial Publications Web-Based Resources Links Why Microbes? Benefits Landmark Discoveries Educational Tools Teaching Tools Fun Facts Images Microbial Primer Disclaimer Contact Us Awards Site Statistics	Primer on Microbial Genomics cont'd Microbes and Climate Change In the past 60 years, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted, mainly through expanding use of fossil fuels for energy, has risen dramatically and is thought to contribute to global climate change. Unless we make major alterations in the way we produce and use energy, predictions for the next century suggest a continued increase in emissions as well as rising concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In addition to controlling fossil fuel emissions, other methods must be explored for stabilizing or decreasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. One of the many poorly understood aspects of the global warming phenomenon is the role that specific microorganisms play in the natural carbon cycle on earth. As part of its Carbon Management Science Program, DOE hopes to stabilize or decrease atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations by identifying ways to manage carbon levels in the terrestrial biosphere. One avenue of exploration is to sequence the genomes of microbes that use carbon dioxide as their sole carbon source. These organisms include Nitrosomonas europaea (pictured), Prochlorococcus marinus, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Nostoc punctiforme, and a marine Synechococcus. [Electron photomicrograph of Nitrosomonas, copyright Stan Watson (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)] Next: Shaking Up the Tree of Life Text from Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Microbial Genome Program Report, 2000.
	Send the url of this page to a friend Last modified: Friday, September 23, 2005 Base URL: microbialgenomics.energy.gov Site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research

Microbial Genomics at the U.S. Department of Energy

Microbes and Climate Change

Microbial Genomics
at the U.S. Department of Energy