Determinants of Atmospheric Trace Gas Oxidation in Bacteria

Bacteria that exist in environments with low or variable nutrient levels are reliant on alternate energy sources, such as atmospheric gases to maintain their energy needs. This thesis provides a broad overview of the determinants of atmospheric gas oxidation in bacteria, spanning from whole organism level down to molecular factors. It has expanded the diversity of trace gas scavenging bacteria characterised, validated previous ecosystem-based studies and highlights the usefulness of trace gases not only for supporting persistence but also during growth.