Bacteria From the Southern Gulf of Mexico: Baseline, Diversity, Hydrocarbon-Degrading Potential and Future Applications

The Gulf of Mexico Research Consortium ( Consorcio de Investigación del Golfo México (CIGoM), 2020 ) was founded in 2015 as a consortium scientific research and consulting services, specializing multidisciplinary projects related to the potential environmental impacts natural human-induced oil spills marine ecosystems, understand act case possible large-scale Mexico. CIGoM comprises more than 300 specialized researchers trained at most recognized Mexican institutions. Among main interests are developing first baseline bacterial community inhabiting southern Mexico, investigating degradation hydrocarbons by communities microbial consortia identifying characterizing industrially relevant enzymes. In this review, using third-generation sequencing methodologies coupled function screening methodologies, we report profile found samples water sediments regions that include Perdido Fold Belt (northwest Mexico), Campeche Knolls (in southeast) Southwest region We also highlight some examples novel lipases dioxygenases with high biotechnological culturable hydrocarbon-degrading strains used diverse bioremediation processes.