Fluorescence in situ hybridization using 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotides reveals abundance and spatial organization of methanogens in thermophilic sludge granules

In situ hybridization with fluorescent oligonucleotides(FISH) was used to detect and localize microorganisms in the granules of lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket(UASB) reactors. An UASB reactor was seeded with mesophilically-grown($35^{\circ}\;C$) granular sludge, and thermophilically($55^{\circ}\;C$) operated by feeding with a synthetic wastewater. Sections of the granules were hybridized with 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes for Eubacteria, Archaeabacteria, and specific phylogenetic groups of methanogens. FISH clearly showed the layed structure of thermophilic granules, which was consisted of outer bacterial cells and inner archaeal cells. Methanoseata-, Methanosarcina-like cells were also found to be localized inside the granules. These results demonstrated FISH was useful in studying the spatial organizations of methanogens and in situ morphologies and metabolic functions in thermophilic granular sludges.