Chrats Melkonian and colleagues use metagenomics and transcriptomics to study microbial dynamics in a 15-year old bioreactor. In contrast to what is expected in a system where benzene is the primary carbon and energy source, relatively few members of the microbial community can degrade this compound. The results have implications for understanding interdependencies within such a community.
- Chrats Melkonian
- Lucas Fillinger
- Rob J. M. van Spanning