Anaerobic digestion by James Chong
Microorganisms, 2020
Understanding how the presence, absence, and abundance of different microbial genera supply speci... more Understanding how the presence, absence, and abundance of different microbial genera supply specific metabolic functions for anaerobic digestion (AD) and how these impact on gas production is critical for a long-term understanding and optimization of the AD process. The strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea are essential for methane production within AD microbial communities. Methanogens are a phylogenetically diverse group that can be classified into three metabolically distinct lineages based on the substrates they use to produce methane. While process optimization based on physicochemical parameters is well established in AD, measurements that could allow manipulation of the underlying microbial community are seldom used as they tend to be non-specific, expensive, or time-consuming, or a combination of all three. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays combine a simple, rapid, low-cost detection technique with high sensitivity and specificity. Here, we describe the optimization of LAMP assays for the detection of four different genera of hydrogenotrophic methanogens: Methanoculleus, Methanothermobacter, Methanococcus, and Methanobrevibacter spp. By targeting archaeal elongation factor 2 (aEF2), these LAMP assays provide a rapid, low-cost, presence/absence indication of hydrogenotrophic methanogens that could be used as a real-time measure of process conditions. The assays were shown to be sensitive to 1 pg of DNA from most tested methanogen species, providing a route to a quantitative measure through simple serial dilution of samples. The LAMP assays described here offer a simple, fast, and affordable method for the specific detection of four different genera of hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Our results indicate that this approach could be developed into a quantitative measure that could provide rapid, low-cost insight into the functioning and optimization of AD and related systems.
Gut microbiome by James Chong
JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, 2019
DNA replication by James Chong
Current Biology, 1999
Replication licensing factor (RLF) is an essential initiation factor that can prevent re-replicat... more Replication licensing factor (RLF) is an essential initiation factor that can prevent re-replication of DNA in a single cell cycle [1,2]. It is required for the initiation of DNA replication, binds to chromatin early in the cell cycle, is removed from chromatin as DNA replicates and is unable to re-bind replicated chromatin until the following mitosis.
Papers by James Chong
As microbiology undergoes a renaissance, fuelled in part by developments in new sequencing techno... more As microbiology undergoes a renaissance, fuelled in part by developments in new sequencing technologies, the massive diversity and abundance of microbes becomes yet more obvious. The Archaea have traditionally been perceived as a minor group of organisms forced to evolve into environmental niches not occupied by their more 'successful' and 'vigorous' counterparts, the bacteria. Here we outline some of the evidence gathered by an increasingly large and productive group of scientists that demonstrates not only that the Archaea contribute significantly to global nutrient cycling, but also that they compete successfully in 'mainstream' environments. Recent data suggest that the Archaea provide the major routes for ammonia oxidation in the environment. Archaea also have huge economic potential that to date has only been fully realized in the production of thermostable polymerases. Archaea have furnished us with key paradigms for understanding fundamentally conserved processes across all domains of life. In addition, they have provided numerous exemplars of novel biological mechanisms that provide us with a much broader view of the forms that life can take and the way in which microorganisms can interact with other species. That this information has been garnered in a relatively short period of time, and appears to represent only a small proportion of what the Archaea have to offer, should provide further incentives to microbiologists to investigate the underlying biology of this fascinating domain.
Methods in …, 1997
... Permissions & Reprints. Characterization of the Xenopus replication licensing system.... more ... Permissions & Reprints. Characterization of the Xenopus replication licensing system. James PJ Chong, Pia Thömmes, Alison Rowles, Hiro M. Mahbubani and J.Julian Blow. Available online 8 December 2003. Excerpt. Note: This is a one-page preview only. ...
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Anaerobic digestion by James Chong
Gut microbiome by James Chong
DNA replication by James Chong
Papers by James Chong