A need to integrate metagenomics and metabolomics in geosciences and develop the deep-time digital earth-biome database of India

Srivastava, P and Sanyal, P and Bhattacharya, S and Mishra, PK and Dutta, S and Chakravarti, R and Rai, N and Navani, N and Ambili, A and Karanth, KP and Joshi, J and Singh, S and Sadasivam, SK (2023) A need to integrate metagenomics and metabolomics in geosciences and develop the deep-time digital earth-biome database of India. In: Current Science, 124 (1). pp. 26-37.

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Abstract

This article presents applications of metagenomics and metabolomics in geosciences. It emphasizes the significance of biomolecular proxies in palaeoclimatology, the evolution of life, the genesis of hydrocarbons and the role of biological processes in metallogeny. Several examples of breakthroughs with respect using these methods in earth sciences exist, such as the estimating resilience time of landscapes against invasive species. It is unfortunate that scientific programmes using bioproxies have not yet taken root in Indian institutions. Now is the appropriate time to delineate the critical role of biology in geology and establish it as a thrust area of research in India. A molecular geobiology programme would deal with the understanding of varied issues such as microbial heat production and its role in soil processes, the role of biology in mineralization, the use of biomarkers (metabolites) and ancient DNA studies in understanding feedbacks in climate change, evolution of life, etc. This article focuses on the use of metagenomics and metabolomics in palaeo-sciences and the potential intellectual dividends they could provide © 2323, Current Science.All Rights Reserved.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Current Science
Publisher:	Indian Academy of Sciences
Additional Information:	The copyright for this article belongs to Indian Academy of Sciences.
Keywords:	Geosciences; Metabolomics; Metagenomics; Metallogeny; Palaeoclimatology
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences
Date Deposited:	10 Feb 2023 08:22
Last Modified:	10 Feb 2023 08:22
URI:	https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/80149

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