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> In this symbiotic relationship, bacteria take up real estate on the spider’s exoskeletons, and in return, the microbes convert carbon-rich methane and oxygen

> In this symbiotic relationship, bacteria take up real estate on the spider’s exoskeletons, and in return, the microbes convert carbon-rich methane and oxygen into sugars and fats the spiders can eat Doing all the work. Microbes get no respect. But also, can we attach these to natural methane producers? (Eg decomposing stuff or cows)

blacksmith_tb 1y ago
I would guess that they've evolved for the conditions around the seafloor, so rotting trash piles or cow stomachs might be a stretch (though cows might welcome some extra sugars, unlike garbage - though I am sure some other microbes could step in there).
Terr_ 1y ago
> Doing all the work. Microbes get no respect. I think you're unfairly dismissing the massive amount of nanotech R&D and energy it takes to develop and operate the bazillion-unit cooperative mobile megafortress those bacteria are happily renting.
- hnthrow90348765 1y ago
  The real question is did they build it using agile or waterfall?
  - drjasonharrison 1y ago
    test driven development!
    - _0ffh 1y ago
      Obviously, it was good ol' trial-and-error. Or rather, trial-and-the-least-error.
  - BLKNSLVR 1y ago
    It took a billion years and ... mostly works. I'd guess waterfall then.
- gexla 1y ago
  With all tech impressive tech, do the spiders feel it's beneath them to do those conversions themselves?
deleted 1y ago
[deleted]
aaron695 1y ago
They are in cows and people and landfill as you'd expect. Why would they not be? If you want to increase their number you need to give them a better environment.
_carbyau_ 1y ago
> Doing all the work. Microbes get no respect. Maybe not in the mainstream?! But for many years people have had jobs specifically trying to get microbes to do useful work for us. [0] Look up key terms like "directed evolution" in microbial research - which to me sounds like a fancy phrase for "breeding". But when breeding cycles can be measured in minutes across millions of units for something so small we can't see it... it kind of is a different thing so I guess it's fair to differentiate it. [0] https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2403585121 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2403585121
- lproven 1y ago
  > But for many years people have had jobs specifically trying to get microbes to do useful work for us. Well, you know, there's brewing and bread. I like beer. I like sauerkraut. I like bread. Insulin is handy. So is human growth hormone.

blacksmith_tb 1y ago

I would guess that they've evolved for the conditions around the seafloor, so rotting trash piles or cow stomachs might be a stretch (though cows might welcome some extra sugars, unlike garbage - though I am sure some other microbes could step in there).

Terr_ 1y ago

> Doing all the work. Microbes get no respect. I think you're unfairly dismissing the massive amount of nanotech R&D and energy it takes to develop and operate the bazillion-unit cooperative mobile megafortress those bacteria are happily renting.

hnthrow90348765 1y ago
The real question is did they build it using agile or waterfall?
- drjasonharrison 1y ago
  test driven development!
  - _0ffh 1y ago
    Obviously, it was good ol' trial-and-error. Or rather, trial-and-the-least-error.
- BLKNSLVR 1y ago
  It took a billion years and ... mostly works. I'd guess waterfall then.
gexla 1y ago
With all tech impressive tech, do the spiders feel it's beneath them to do those conversions themselves?

deleted 1y ago

[deleted]

aaron695 1y ago

They are in cows and people and landfill as you'd expect. Why would they not be? If you want to increase their number you need to give them a better environment.

_carbyau_ 1y ago

> Doing all the work. Microbes get no respect. Maybe not in the mainstream?! But for many years people have had jobs specifically trying to get microbes to do useful work for us. [0] Look up key terms like "directed evolution" in microbial research - which to me sounds like a fancy phrase for "breeding". But when breeding cycles can be measured in minutes across millions of units for something so small we can't see it... it kind of is a different thing so I guess it's fair to differentiate it. [0] https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2403585121 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2403585121

lproven 1y ago
> But for many years people have had jobs specifically trying to get microbes to do useful work for us. Well, you know, there's brewing and bread. I like beer. I like sauerkraut. I like bread. Insulin is handy. So is human growth hormone.