methane
PhysiologyInfluence of Energy and Electron Availability on In Vivo Methane and Hydrogen Production by a Variant Molybdenum NitrogenaseA variant form of Mo nitrogenase catalyzes the conversion of CO2 and protons to the biofuels CH4 and H2. A constant supply of electrons and ATP is needed to drive these reduction reactions. The bacterium R. palustris generates ATP from light and has a versatile metabolism that makes it ideal for manipulating electron availability...
Environmental MicrobiologyInterspecies Chemical Signaling in a Methane-Oxidizing Bacterial CommunityMethanotrophs are bacteria that sequester methane, a significant greenhouse gas, and thereby perform an important ecosystem function. Understanding the mechanisms by which these organisms interact in the environment may ultimately allow us to manipulate and to optimize this activity. Here we show that members of a genus of methane-oxidizing bacteria can be influenced by a chemical signal produced by a possibly competing species. This...
Microbial Ecology | SpotlightChanges in the Rumen Microbiota of Cows in Response to Dietary Supplementation with Nitrate, Linseed, and Saponin Alone or in CombinationThis study aimed at identifying the microbial mechanisms of enteric methane mitigation when linseed, nitrate, and saponins were fed to nonlactating cows alone or in a combination. Hydrogen is a limiting factor in rumen methanogenesis. We hypothesized that linseed and saponins would affect hydrogen producers and nitrate would affect hydrogen consumption, leading to reduced methane production in the rumen. Contrary to what was predicted,...
- BiotechnologySpatial Distribution and Diverse Metabolic Functions of Lignocellulose-Degrading Uncultured Bacteria as Revealed by Genome-Centric Metagenomics
This work contributes new knowledge about lignocellulose degradation in engineered ecosystems. Specifically, the combination of the spatial distribution of uncultured microbes with genome-centric metagenomics provides novel insights into the metabolic properties of planktonic and firmly attached to plant biomass bacteria. Moreover, the knowledge obtained in this study enabled us to understand the diverse metabolic strategies for...