Recent Advances and Future Perspectives in Microbial Phototrophy in Antarctic Sea Ice

• Published in: Biology
• Main Authors: Andrew McMinn, Ken G. Ryan, Andrew R. Martin, Eileen Y. Koh
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012
• Subjects: phototrophic bacteria; cyanobacteria; aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria; proteorhodopsin; Antarctic sea ice; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Antarctic; Antarc*; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/biology1030542; https://doaj.org/article/4befddafb3b945049412a5787447c023

Bacteria that utilize sunlight to supplement metabolic activity are now being described in a range of ecosystems. While it is likely that phototrophy provides an important competitive advantage, the contribution that these microorganisms make to the bioenergetics of polar marine ecosystems is unknown. In this minireview, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of phototrophic bacteria and highlight the need for future research.