2026-09-23T15:06:01Z https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/129341 2025-10-20 col_2142_5131 col_2142_14771 com_2142_5130 com_2142_685 com_2142_397

application/pdf en text Submission original under an indefinite embargo labeled 'Open Access'. The submission was exported from vireo on 2025-10-19 without embargo terms The student, Taylor Putman, accepted the attached license on 2025-05-07 at 14:55. The student, Taylor Putman, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2025-05-07 at 15:06. This Thesis was approved for publication on 2025-05-09 at 12:53. DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #22257 on 2025-10-19 at 18:13:48 Exploring genomic complementarity in a naturally occurring coculture: A case study of Methylocystis echinoides rim and Hyphomicrobium sulfonivorans Putman, Taylor 2025-05-09 Cann, Isaac Methanotrophs Methane Polyhydroxybutyrate Phb Metabolic Interdependence eng Microbial communities frequently exhibit metabolic interdependence, with distinct taxa engaging in complementary biochemical pathways to optimize resource use, ecological fitness, and survival. In this study, we explored the molecular basis for a seemingly obligate interaction between Methylocystis echinoides strain RIM, a facultative methanotroph, and Hyphomicrobium sulfonivorans, a methylotrophic heterotroph, using genome-based metabolic reconstruction and comparative pathway analyses. Our computational findings suggest that, under conditions where methane is the sole carbon source, M. echinoides initiates methane oxidation, supplying reduced carbon compounds such as methanol and formaldehyde, while H. sulfonivorans complement missing biosynthetic functions, including tetrahydrofolate, pantothenate, and sugar phosphate metabolism. This naturally occurring co-culture may enhance overall carbon flux, redox balance, and biosynthetic capacity within methane-fed environments. The presence of complete polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthetic pathways in both species further indicates potential biotechnological relevance for sustainable biopolymer production. Although experimental validation remains necessary, these computational findings provide a genomic framework for leveraging microbial interactions or inter-dependence in the development of optimized methane bioconversion and biomanufacturing systems. 2025-05 Text https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129341 Copyright 2025 Taylor Putman Animal Sciences Bioinformatics University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign M.S. Thesis