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Choudhary P, Bhatt S, Chatterjee S. From freezing to functioning: cellular strategies of cold-adapted bacteria for surviving in extreme environments. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:329. [PMID: 38940837 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04058-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The ability of cold-adapted bacteria to survive in extreme cold and diverse temperatures is due to their unique attributes like cell membrane stability, up-regulation of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, increased production of extracellular polymeric substances, and expansion of membrane pigment. Various cold-adapted proteins, including ice-nucleating proteins (INPs), antifreeze proteins (AFPs), cold shock proteins (Csps), and cold-acclimated proteins (CAPs), help the bacteria to survive in these environments. To sustain cells from extreme cold conditions and maintain stability in temperature fluctuations, survival strategies at the molecular level and their mechanism play significant roles in adaptations in cryospheric conditions. Furthermore, cold shock domains present in the multifunctional cold shock proteins play crucial roles in their adaptation strategies. The considerable contribution of lipopeptides, osmolytes, and membrane pigments plays an integral part in their survival in extreme environments. This review summarizes the evolutionary history of cold-adapted bacteria and their molecular and cellular adaptation strategies to thrive in harsh cold environments. It also discusses the importance of carotenoids produced, lipid composition, cryoprotectants, proteins, and chaperones related to this adaptation. Furthermore, the functions and mechanisms of adaptations within the cell are discussed briefly. One can utilize and explore their potential in various biotechnology applications and their evolutionary journey by knowing the inherent mechanism of their molecular and cellular adaptation to cold climatic conditions. This review will help all branches of the life science community understand the basic microbiology of psychrophiles and their hidden prospect in life science research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Choudhary
- Bioremediation and Metabolomics Research Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Academic Block-Shahpur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, 176206, India
| | - Sunidhi Bhatt
- Bioremediation and Metabolomics Research Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Academic Block-Shahpur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, 176206, India
| | - Subhankar Chatterjee
- Bioremediation and Metabolomics Research Group, Dept. of Ecology & Environmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, R.V. Nagar, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India.
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Comparative Genomic Analyses of the Genus Nesterenkonia Unravels the Genomic Adaptation to Polar Extreme Environments. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020233. [PMID: 35208688 PMCID: PMC8875376 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The members of the Nesterenkonia genus have been isolated from various habitats, like saline soil, salt lake, sponge-associated and the human gut, some of which are even located in polar areas. To identify their stress resistance mechanisms and draw a genomic profile across this genus, we isolated four Nesterenkonia strains from the lakes in the Tibetan Plateau, referred to as the third pole, and compared them with all other 30 high-quality Nesterenkonia genomes that are deposited in NCBI. The Heaps’ law model estimated that the pan-genome of this genus is open and the number of core, shell, cloud, and singleton genes were 993 (6.61%), 2782 (18.52%), 4117 (27.40%), and 7132 (47.47%), respectively. Phylogenomic and ANI/AAI analysis indicated that all genomes can be divided into three main clades, named NES-1, NES-2, and NES-3. The strains isolated from lakes in the Tibetan Plateau were clustered with four strains from different sources in the Antarctic and formed a subclade within NES-2, described as NES-AT. Genome features of this subclade, including GC (guanine + cytosine) content, tRNA number, carbon/nitrogen atoms per residue side chain (C/N-ARSC), and amino acid composition, in NES-AT individuals were significantly different from other strains, indicating genomic adaptation to cold, nutrient-limited, osmotic, and ultraviolet conditions in polar areas. Functional analysis revealed the enrichment of specific genes involved in bacteriorhodopsin synthesis, biofilm formation, and more diverse nutrient substance metabolism genes in the NES-AT clade, suggesting potential adaptation strategies for energy metabolism in polar environments. This study provides a comprehensive profile of the genomic features of the Nesterenkonia genus and reveals the possible mechanism for the survival of Nesterenkonia isolates in polar areas.
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An Updated review on production of food derived bioactive peptides; focus on the psychrotrophic bacterial proteases. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2021.102051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Heinz J, Waajen AC, Airo A, Alibrandi A, Schirmack J, Schulze-Makuch D. Bacterial Growth in Chloride and Perchlorate Brines: Halotolerances and Salt Stress Responses of Planococcus halocryophilus. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:1377-1387. [PMID: 31386567 PMCID: PMC6818489 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Extraterrestrial environments encompass physicochemical conditions and habitats that are unknown on Earth, such as perchlorate-rich brines that can be at least temporarily stable on the martian surface. To better understand the potential for life in these cold briny environments, we determined the maximum salt concentrations suitable for growth (MSCg) of six different chloride and perchlorate salts at 25°C and 4°C for the extremotolerant cold- and salt-adapted bacterial strain Planococcus halocryophilus. Growth was measured through colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, while cellular and colonial phenotypic stress responses were observed through visible light, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy. Our data show the following: (1) The tolerance to high salt concentrations can be increased through a stepwise inoculation toward higher concentrations. (2) Ion-specific factors are more relevant for the growth limitation of P. halocryophilus in saline solutions than single physicochemical parameters like ionic strength or water activity. (3) P. halocryophilus shows the highest microbial sodium perchlorate tolerance described so far. However, (4) MSCg values are higher for all chlorides compared to perchlorates. (5) The MSCg for calcium chloride was increased by lowering the temperature from 25°C to 4°C, while sodium- and magnesium-containing salts can be tolerated at 25°C to higher concentrations than at 4°C. (6) Depending on salt type and concentration, P. halocryophilus cells show distinct phenotypic stress responses such as novel types of colony morphology on agar plates and biofilm-like cell clustering, encrustation, and development of intercellular nanofilaments. This study, taken in context with previous work on the survival of extremophiles in Mars-like environments, suggests that high-concentrated perchlorate brines on Mars might not be habitable to any present organism on Earth, but extremophilic microorganisms might be able to evolve thriving in such environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Heinz
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annemiek C. Waajen
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alessandro Airo
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Armando Alibrandi
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janosch Schirmack
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
- GFZ German Center for Geoscience, Section Geomicrobiology, Potsdam, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Department of Experimental Limnology, Stechlin, Germany
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Margesin R, Collins T. Microbial ecology of the cryosphere (glacial and permafrost habitats): current knowledge. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:2537-2549. [PMID: 30719551 PMCID: PMC6443599 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09631-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Microorganisms in cold ecosystems play a key ecological role in their natural habitats. Since these ecosystems are especially sensitive to climate changes, as indicated by the worldwide retreat of glaciers and ice sheets as well as permafrost thawing, an understanding of the role and potential of microbial life in these habitats has become crucial. Emerging technologies have added significantly to our knowledge of abundance, functional activity, and lifestyles of microbial communities in cold environments. The current knowledge of microbial ecology in glacial habitats and permafrost, the most studied habitats of the cryosphere, is reported in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Margesin
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Tony Collins
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
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Heinz J, Schirmack J, Airo A, Kounaves SP, Schulze-Makuch D. Enhanced Microbial Survivability in Subzero Brines. ASTROBIOLOGY 2018; 18:1171-1180. [PMID: 29664686 PMCID: PMC6150940 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that dissolved salts can significantly lower the freezing point of water and thus extend habitability to subzero conditions. However, most investigations thus far have focused on sodium chloride as a solute. In this study, we report on the survivability of the bacterial strain Planococcus halocryophilus in sodium, magnesium, and calcium chloride or perchlorate solutions at temperatures ranging from +25°C to -30°C. In addition, we determined the survival rates of P. halocryophilus when subjected to multiple freeze/thaw cycles. We found that cells suspended in chloride-containing samples have markedly increased survival rates compared with those in perchlorate-containing samples. In both cases, the survival rates increase with lower temperatures; however, this effect is more pronounced in chloride-containing samples. Furthermore, we found that higher salt concentrations increase survival rates when cells are subjected to freeze/thaw cycles. Our findings have important implications not only for the habitability of cold environments on Earth but also for extraterrestrial environments such as that of Mars, where cold brines might exist in the subsurface and perhaps even appear temporarily at the surface such as at recurring slope lineae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Heinz
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janosch Schirmack
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandro Airo
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Samuel P. Kounaves
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
- Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
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Bacteria Associated with Marine Benthic Invertebrates from Polar Environments: Unexplored Frontiers for Biodiscovery? DIVERSITY-BASEL 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/d10030080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The ecological function of bacteria-invertebrate interactions in Polar areas remains poorly understood, despite increasing evidence that microbial metabolites may play pivotal roles in host-associated chemical defense and in shaping the symbiotic community structure. The metabolic and physiological changes that these organisms undergo in response to adapting to extreme conditions result in the production of structurally and functionally novel biologically active molecules. Deepening our knowledge on the interactions between bacteria and their invertebrate host would be highly helpful in providing the rationale for why (e.g., competition or cooperative purpose) and which (whether secondary metabolites, enzymes, or proteins) bioactive compounds are produced. To date, cold-adapted bacteria associated with marine invertebrates from the Arctic and Antarctica have not been given the attention they deserve and the versatility of their natural products remains virtually unexplored, even if they could represent a new attractive frontier in the search for novel natural compounds. This review is aimed at showcasing the diversity of cold-adapted bacteria associated with benthic invertebrates from Polar marine areas, highlighting the yet unexplored treasure they represent for biodiscovery.
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Raymond-Bouchard I, Tremblay J, Altshuler I, Greer CW, Whyte LG. Comparative Transcriptomics of Cold Growth and Adaptive Features of a Eury- and Steno-Psychrophile. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1565. [PMID: 30108551 PMCID: PMC6080646 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Permafrost subzero environments harbor diverse, active communities of microorganisms. However, our understanding of the subzero growth, metabolisms, and adaptive properties of these microbes remains very limited. We performed transcriptomic analyses on two subzero-growing permafrost isolates with different growth profiles in order to characterize and compare their cold temperature growth and cold-adaptive strategies. The two organisms, Rhodococcus sp. JG3 (-5 to 30°C) and Polaromonas sp. Eur3 1.2.1 (-5 to 22°C), shared several common responses during low temperature growth, including induction of translation and ribosomal processes, upregulation of nutrient transport, increased oxidative and osmotic stress responses, and stimulation of polysaccharide capsule synthesis. Recombination appeared to be an important adaptive strategy for both isolates at low temperatures, likely as a mechanism to increase genetic diversity and the potential for survival in cold systems. While Rhodococcus sp. JG3 favored upregulating iron and amino acid transport, sustaining redox potential, and modulating fatty acid synthesis and composition during growth at -5°C compared to 25°C, Polaromonas sp. Eur3 1.2.1 increased the relative abundance of transcripts involved in primary energy metabolism and the electron transport chain, in addition to signal transduction and peptidoglycan synthesis at 0°C compared to 20°C. The increase in energy metabolism may explain why Polaromonas sp. Eur3 1.2.1 is able to sustain growth rates at 0°C comparable to those at higher temperatures. For Rhodococcus sp. JG3, flexibility in use of carbon sources, iron acquisition, control of membrane fatty acid composition, and modulating redox and co-factor potential may be ways in which this organism is able to sustain growth over a wider range of temperatures. Increasing our understanding of the microbes in these habitats helps us better understand active pathways and metabolisms in extreme environments. Identifying novel, thermolabile, and cold-active enzymes from studies such as this is also of great interest to the biotechnology and food industries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julien Tremblay
- Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Council of Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ianina Altshuler
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Charles W Greer
- Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Council of Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lyle G Whyte
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
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Abstract
It is well known that cold environments are predominant over the Earth and there are a great number of reports analyzing bacterial adaptations to cold. Most of these works are focused on characteristics traditionally involved in cold adaptation, such as the structural adjustment of enzymes, maintenance of membrane fluidity, expression of cold shock proteins and presence of compatible solutes. Recent works based mainly on novel "omic" technologies have presented evidence of the presence of other important features to thrive in cold. In this work, we analyze cold-adapted bacteria, looking for strategies involving novel features, and/or activation of non-classical metabolisms for a cold lifestyle. Metabolic traits related to energy generation, compounds and mechanisms involved in stress resistance and cold adaptation, as well as characteristics of the cell envelope, are analyzed in heterotrophic cold-adapted bacteria. In addition, metagenomic, metatranscriptomic and metaproteomic data are used to detect key functions in bacterial communities inhabiting cold environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M Tribelli
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- IQUIBICEN, CONICET, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Nancy I López
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- IQUIBICEN, CONICET, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Raymond-Bouchard I, Goordial J, Zolotarov Y, Ronholm J, Stromvik M, Bakermans C, Whyte LG. Conserved genomic and amino acid traits of cold adaptation in subzero-growing Arctic permafrost bacteria. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Raymond-Bouchard
- McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Goordial
- McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
- Bigelow laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr, East Boothbay, ME, 04544, USA
| | - Yevgen Zolotarov
- McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Jennifer Ronholm
- McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Martina Stromvik
- McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Corien Bakermans
- Altoona College, Pennsylvania State University, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA, 16601, USA
| | - Lyle G Whyte
- McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
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Raymond-Bouchard I, Chourey K, Altshuler I, Iyer R, Hettich RL, Whyte LG. Mechanisms of subzero growth in the cryophile Planococcus halocryophilus determined through proteomic analysis. Environ Microbiol 2017; 19:4460-4479. [PMID: 28834033 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The eurypsychrophilic bacterium Planococcus halocryophilus is capable of growth down to -15°C, making it ideal for studying adaptations to subzero growth. To increase our understanding of the mechanisms and pathways important for subzero growth, we performed proteomics on P. halocryophilus grown at 23°C, 23°C with 12% w/v NaCl and -10°C with 12% w/v NaCl. Many proteins with increased abundances at -10°C versus 23°C also increased at 23C-salt versus 23°C, indicating a closely tied relationship between salt and cold stress adaptation. Processes which displayed the largest changes in protein abundance were peptidoglycan and fatty acid (FA) synthesis, translation processes, methylglyoxal metabolism, DNA repair and recombination, and protein and nucleotide turnover. We identified intriguing targets for further research at -10°C, including PlsX and KASII (FA metabolism), DD-transpeptidase and MurB (peptidoglycan synthesis), glyoxalase family proteins (reactive electrophile response) and ribosome modifying enzymes (translation turnover). PemK/MazF may have a crucial role in translational reprogramming under cold conditions. At -10°C P. halocryophilus induces stress responses, uses resources efficiently, and carefully controls its growth and metabolism to maximize subzero survival. The present study identifies several mechanisms involved in subzero growth and enhances our understanding of cold adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Raymond-Bouchard
- Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Karuna Chourey
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Ianina Altshuler
- Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Ramsunder Iyer
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.,Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Robert L Hettich
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Lyle G Whyte
- Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
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