An international research team from the United States and Italy has discovered a novel strain of cyanobacteria named 'Chonkus', isolated from volcanic ocean vents near Vulcano Island, Sicily, which thrives in high CO2 environments.

Chonkus exhibits rapid growth and higher density compared to other strains, making it a promising candidate for carbon sequestration and bioproduction projects.

The researchers focused on two strains, UTEX 3221 and UTEX 3222, ultimately selecting UTEX 3222 for its advantageous growth characteristics, leading to its nickname 'Chonkus'.

Dr. Max Schubert, a co-corresponding author of the study, emphasized that Chonkus's unique traits, including dense growth and carbon storage, could significantly benefit future decarbonization and biomanufacturing efforts.

Samples of Chonkus are cryopreserved and made publicly available for further research, promoting collaboration within the scientific community.

Chonkus's higher carbon content and growth density further enhance its attractiveness for industrial applications.

The strain's ability to settle into dense pellets can greatly reduce the costs associated with biomass processing, which currently consumes a significant portion of production expenses.

The research team believes that utilizing naturally evolved microbes like Chonkus may be more efficient for carbon sequestration and biomanufacturing than genetically engineered organisms.

The study received funding from the US Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, underscoring its relevance to climate change mitigation strategies.

The research team, which includes scientists from prestigious institutions like Harvard University and MIT, conducted field expeditions to collect water samples from CO2-rich shallow seeps.

The discovery was published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology on October 29, 2024, highlighting the potential of Chonkus for decarbonization and biomanufacturing.

Inspired by their findings, the research team co-founded The Two Frontiers Project to explore microbial life in extreme environments and its applications in carbon capture and ecosystem restoration.