Sourajit Bayen

Bio: Sourajit Bayen is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Macrotermitinae & Termitomyces. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 2 citations.

Mutualistic relation of termites with associated microbes for their harmonious survival

Abstract: This article explores the symbiotic role of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and protozoans) associated with xylophagous termites. Members of the subfamily Macrotermitinae belonging to the family Termitidae have evolved symbiosis with fungi, which belong to the genus Termitomyces. The function of Termitomyces varies for different termite groups depending on their feeding behaviour. In some termites, the primary function of Termitomyces fungi is the degradation of lignin to its simpler form and to make cellulose available to termites; however, these fungi also serve as nutrient rich food sources to other groups of termites. The subsequent breakdown of ingested cellulose in termite gut is further facilitated and controlled by the action of various groups of enzymes secreted by gut-borne microflora and micro-fauna. Understanding the function, significance and management of these diverse microbial symbionts associated with pestiferous higher termites may help in developing their effective bio-control.

Metagenomic and functional analysis of hindgut microbiota of a wood-feeding higher termite

Abstract: Publisher: NPG; Journal: Nature: Nature; Article Type: Biology letter DOI: 10.1038/nature06269 Metagenomic and functional analysis of hindgut microbiota of a wood-feeding higher termite Falk Warnecke 1 *, Peter Luginbuhl 2 *, Natalia Ivanova 1 , Majid Ghassemian 2 , Toby H. Richardson 2 †, Justin T. Stege 2 , Michelle Cayouette 2 †, Alice C. McHardy 3 †, Gordana Djordjevic 2 , Nahla Aboushadi 2 , Rotem Sorek 1 , Susannah G. Tringe 1 , Mircea Podar 4 , Hector Garcia Martin 1 , Victor Kunin 1 , Daniel Dalevi 1 , Julita Madejska 1 , Edward Kirton 1 , Darren Platt 1 , Ernest Szeto 1 , Asaf Salamov 1 , Kerrie Barry 1 , Natalia Mikhailova 1 , Nikos C. Kyrpides 1 , Eric G. Matson 5 , Elizabeth A. Ottesen 6 , Xinning Zhang 5 , Myriam Hernandez 7 , Catalina Murillo 7 , Luis G. Acosta 7 , Isidore Rigoutsos 3 , Giselle Tamayo 7 , Brian D. Green 2 , Cathy Chang 2 †, Edward M. Rubin 1 , Eric J. Mathur 2 †, Dan E. Robertson 2 , Philip Hugenholtz 1 & Jared R. Leadbetter 5 * DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, California 94598, USA. 2 Verenium Corporation (formerly Diversa), 4955 Directors Place, San Diego, California 92121, USA. 3 IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, PO Box 218, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598, USA. 4 Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6026, USA. 5 Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Division of Biology, Mailcode 138-78, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA. INBio, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Apdo. Postal 22-3100 Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica. †Present addresses: Synthetic Genomics, Inc., 11149 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 100, La Jolla, California 92037, USA (T.H.R., E.J.M.); Max Planck Institute for Computer Science, Stuhlsatzenhausweg 85, 66123 Saarbrucken, Germany (A.C.M.); Stratagene, 11011 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA (M.C.); E. O. Wilson Foundation, 10190 Telesis Court, San Diego, California 92121, USA (C.C.). *These authors contributed equally to this work. From the standpoints of both basic research and biotechnology, there is considerable interest in reaching a clearer understanding of the diversity of biological mechanisms employed during lignocellulose degradation. Globally, termites are an extremely successful group of wood-degrading organisms 1 and are therefore important both for their roles in carbon turnover in the environment and as potential sources of biochemical catalysts for efforts aimed at converting wood into biofuels. Only recently have data supported any direct role for the symbiotic bacteria in the gut of the termite in cellulose and xylan hydrolysis 2 . Here we use a metagenomic analysis of the bacterial community resident in the hindgut paunch of a wood-feeding Nasutitermes species to show the presence of a large, diverse set of bacterial genes for cellulose and xylan hydrolysis. Many of these genes were expressed in vivo or had cellulase activity in vitro, and further analyses implicate spirochete and fibrobacter species in gut lignocellulose degradation. New insights into other important Page 1 of 33

The inculation of the fungus comb in newly founded colonies of some species of the Macrotermitinae (Isoptera) from Nigeria

Abstract: Summary The critical factor in the survival of newly-founded colonies of the fungus-growing termites (Macrotermitinae) is the successful inoculation of the new comb with the fungus Termitomyces. At least two methods have evolved within the subfamily, which appear to be mutually exclusive. Namely, inoculation by carriage of conidia by reproductive alates (Macrotermes bellicosus, 5 species of Microtermes) and collection of basidiospores by foraging workers (3 species of Ancistrotermes, Macrotermes subhyalinus, 2 species of Odontotermes). Basidiocarps, associated with five of these species have been recorded in the Nigerian savanna and although uncommon, the timing of their appearance is closely geared to the requirements of new colonies for basidiospores.