Rhizobiome carbon sequestration microorganisms from organic criollo maize
Discovery and isolation of novel carbon-sequestration microorganisms from the rhizobiome of non-traditional criollo maize varieties grown under organic, subsistence farming in Mexico and Guatemala. Uses whole-genome shotgun sequencing to identify efficient carbon sequestration strains for agricultural and climate applications.
Overview
This research focuses on discovering and isolating novel microorganisms from the rhizobiome of non-traditional criollo maize varieties that are highly efficient at carbon sequestration. Criollo maize has been cultivated for generations under subsistence, organic farming in Mexico and Central America without the use of artificial fertilizers. Over thousands of years, these plants have adapted to nutrient-poor soils by developing rich microbial communities in their root zones capable of cycling essential elements including nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus. This project seeks to identify and isolate the specific microbial strains responsible for efficient carbon sequestration within these unique rhizobiomes, opening pathways to bio-based soil carbon enhancement and climate-smart agriculture.
Technical specifications
- Sample collection from subsistence farming regions in Mexico and Guatemala where criollo maize is grown without artificial fertilizers
- Whole-genome shotgun sequencing of soil and rhizosphere DNA to identify microbial species at the strain level
- Metabolic pathway reconstruction to pinpoint genes associated with carbon sequestration
- Targeted isolation protocols to recover specific microbial strains identified through sequencing
- Comparative analysis of soil carbon content and plant growth rates between weak and strong plants to enrich for efficient carbon sequestration microorganisms
- Leverages established next-generation sequencing pipelines for taxonomic and functional gene identification
Technology readiness level
The project is at an early research stage. The underlying methodology for next-generation sequencing of soil and rhizosphere microorganisms is well established, and the bioinformatics pipelines for identifying species, genes, and metabolic pathways are available. However, the specific application of using non-traditional criollo maize varieties to isolate efficient carbon sequestration microorganisms has not been previously carried out. Future work includes collecting soil samples from organic farms in Mexico and Guatemala, performing shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and developing targeted isolation protocols for the identified carbon-sequestering microbial strains.
About Tecnológico de Monterrey
Tecnológico de Monterrey is a leading private, multi-campus research university in Mexico, recognized for entrepreneurship and industry collaboration. Its Monterrey headquarters anchors an urban innovation district with open lab space, prototyping, and shared testing facilities that welcome corporate collaborators. An integrated health system supports clinical research and translation, while structured internships and challenge-driven partnerships connect companies with faculty and student talent year-round. Research is supported by competitive federal funding through Mexico’s national science and technology council, along with industry contracts and international sponsors. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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