Generation of a Gluconobacter oxydans knockout collection for improved extraction of rare earth elements

Alexa M. Schmitz, Brooke Pian, Sean Medin, Matthew C. Reid, Mingming Wu, Esteban Gazel and Buz Barstow ()
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Alexa M. Schmitz: Cornell University
Brooke Pian: Cornell University
Sean Medin: Cornell University
Matthew C. Reid: Cornell University
Mingming Wu: Cornell University
Esteban Gazel: Cornell University
Buz Barstow: Cornell University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Bioleaching of rare earth elements (REEs), using microorganisms such as Gluconobacter oxydans, offers a sustainable alternative to environmentally harmful thermochemical extraction, but is currently not very efficient. Here, we generate a whole-genome knockout collection of single-gene transposon disruption mutants for G. oxydans B58, to identify genes affecting the efficacy of REE bioleaching. We find 304 genes whose disruption alters the production of acidic biolixiviant. Disruption of genes underlying synthesis of the cofactor pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and the PQQ-dependent membrane-bound glucose dehydrogenase nearly eliminates bioleaching. Disruption of phosphate-specific transport system genes enhances bioleaching by up to 18%. Our results provide a comprehensive roadmap for engineering the genome of G. oxydans to further increase its bioleaching efficiency.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27047-4

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