Community structure of microbes retrieved electrically from cryopreserved sponges

Microbial communities have a key role in the physiology of the sponge host, and it is therefore essential to understand the stability and specificity of sponge-symbiont associations. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel electrical retrieval method of living sponge associated microorganisms from -80 ?C frozen marine sponge and to estimate the retrieval bias. A-0.3-V vs. Ag/AgCl constant potential for 2h at 9 ?C induced attachment of the sponge associated microorganisms on an optically transpotent working electrode. The electrically attached microorganisms from homogenized Callyspongia confoederata and Spirastrella insignisis tissues have an intact cell membrane and an intracellular dehydrogenase activity. Using the Ion torrent sequencing technology, we conducted a comparison of sponge bacterial communities.