Microbiology basics

Last class:
• Corrosion
In this class:
• Importance of microorganisms in the oil Industry
• Basic cytology
• Procaryotes vs. Eucaryotes
• From DNA to protein: gene expression
• Bacteria transformation
• Reporter genes
• Bioreactors
MEOR
MEOR
• Benefits:
• Better movility (increased production)
• API improvement
• Less souring
• Exact mechanism, depends on the microorganisms:
• Blocking secondary channels
• Enzimatic break of longer chains
• Metabolites  biosurfactants (proteíns)
• Competitive exclusión of sulphur-reducing bacteria
MIC (Microbial induced corrosion)
MIC (Microbial induced corrosion)
Water treatment using
microorganisms
Cytology
• Cell  funcitonal biological unit
• Membranes
• Organels
• Nucleic acid

• DNA  carrier of genetic

information

• Two types of cells

Procaryotes vs. Eucaryotes

• Plantas
• Animales • Bacterias
• Hongos
Procaryotes vs. Eucaryotes
DNA to protein
• Enzimes y biosurfactants are proteins

• To go from DNA to protein:

1. RAN Transcription
2. RNA processing (splicing)
3. Translation to protein
4. Post-Translational processing
DNA to protein: anatomy of a gen
DNA to protein: RNA transcription
DNA to protein: splicing
• Intrón  región
que no se expresa

• Exón  región
que si se expresa
DNA to protein: translation
DNA to protein: translation
• Codon  a triplet of bases that codes for an
aminoacid
DNA to protein: post-translational
processing
Microbiology techniques
Reservoir microorganisms
• Best environmental option for MEOR and
remediation procesess

• Complex selection process, but microorganisms

are already adapted to the environment

• Once pure lines/strains are selected, they multiply

in a bioreactor
Reservoir microorganisms
Reservoir Microorganisms
• Relevant when the goal is to outcompete sulphur-
reducing bacteria (souring)

• Important to understand interactions to flood reservoir with

nutrients and bacterias

• Different strains are combined to maximize benefits

Bacteria transformation
• Biotecnology sensu estricto

• “Base bacteria” are used to insert target genes:

• Biosurfactants
• Enzimes to improve API gravity
Bacteria transformation
• Phage  virus
capable of
introducing DNA
fragments

• Plasmids  circular
DNA that are
absorbed during a
thermic shock
Reporter genes
Bacteria transformation
• Target genes  isolated from reservoir microorganisms

• Extensive studies on gene expression, sequencing and

DNA fragment synthesis

• Bacteria transformation production of the target gene

(biosurfactants, enzimes,e tc) ex situ
Bacteria Transformation
• Useful for water treatment

• Other industrial and medical aplications

Bioreactors
Biocides
• Substances that kill living beings
• Avoid MIC
• Prevent souring

• Most common:
• Aldehides
• Biguanides
• Isothiazolones
• Ammonium quaternary compounds
In this class:
• Introduction to microbiology

• Basics on biotechnology
Next class  EXAM II
• Next Week: Bioremediation oil spills (one page maximum)

• In two weeks: Microbiological water treatment