Metagenomic sequencing of deep subsurface samples from Deccan plateau, Koyna-Warna region, India. subsurface metagenome

Exploration of deep biosphere of granitic-basaltic crustal system represents one of the emerging frontiers of deep life initiatives; unraveling the composition of microbial dark matter, limits of life, mechanisms of microbial interaction with inorganic environment and adaptation within the aphotic, oligotrophic igneous provinces of Earth crust.Samples from different depths were collected from Ukhalu, Maharastra, India during a deep drilling initiative of Ministry of Earth Science, Govt. of India. These samples range from 59 to 1335 meters below terrestrial surface (mbts) with age of around 66 million years. Three of these samples were chosen on the basis of three zones: basaltic, transition and granitic; from depths of 262, 781 and 1155 mbts, respectively.PI: Pinaki Sar, Indian Institute of Technology