Mercedes Sánchez-Costa

Dr. Mercedes Sánchez-Costa


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
25 April 2025 in Microorganisms
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SMSalvador Mirete
Salvador Mirete
MSMercedes Sánchez-Costa
Mercedes Sánchez-Costa
JDJorge Diaz-Rullo
Jorge Diaz-Rullo
CFCarolina González de Figueras
Carolina González de Figueras
PMPablo Martínez-Rodríguez
Pablo Martínez-Rodríguez
José Eduardo González-PastorJosé Eduardo González-Pastor
José Eduardo González-Pastor
Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) have revolutionized microbial ecology by enabling the genome-resolved study of uncultured microorganisms directly from environmental samples. By leveraging high-throughput sequencing, advanced assembly algorithms, and genome binning techniques, researchers can reconstruct microbial genomes without the need for cultivation. These methodological advances have expanded the known microbial diversity, revealing novel taxa and metabolic pathways involved in key biogeochemical cycles, including carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur transformations. MAG-based studies have identified microbial lineages form Archaea and Bacteria responsible for methane oxidation, carbon sequestration in marine sediments, ammonia oxidation, and sulfur metabolism, highlighting their critical roles in ecosystem stability. From a sustainability perspective, MAGs provide essential insights for climate change mitigation, sustainable agriculture, and bioremediation. The ability to characterize microbial communities in diverse environments, including soil, aquatic ecosystems, and extreme habitats, enhances biodiversity conservation and supports the development of microbial-based environmental management strategies. Despite these advancements, challenges such as assembly biases, incomplete metabolic reconstructions, and taxonomic uncertainties persist. Continued improvements in sequencing technologies, hybrid assembly approaches, and multi-omics integration will further refine MAG-based analyses. As methodologies advance, MAGs will remain a cornerstone for understanding microbial contributions to global biogeochemical processes and developing sustainable interventions for environmental resilience.