MDA amplified ANME-1 SAGs (16S phylotype 1) from Porto MV AP1 enrichment.

The deep sub-seafloor biosphere is one of the largest habitats on Earth and contains a huge prokaryotic biomass (10-30% global biomass), but it is a challenging and extreme environment. Despite this, novel microorganisms contribute to fundamental biogeochemical processes with planetary-scale impacts stimulating mineral transformation, elemental cycles, oceanic crust weathering and methane hydrate formation. Using NGS to reveal the metabolic diversity, energy sources and biogeochemical transformations performed by ANME1 archaea, using single cell genomic technology, will provide a wealth of novel information on the phylogeny, ecology and biogeochemical role of this phylum in the deep biosphere.