Mikko TuomiSep 18, 2025

We may have found evidence for past #life on #Mars from an era, when subsurface brine could have supported #methanogens.

But life requires liquid water, and it is largely nonexistent near the surface today. This global drying may have been caused by the microbial life itself.

#astrobiology
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-022-01786-w

Preprint available here:
https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.04948

Early Mars habitability and global cooling by H2-based methanogens - Nature Astronomy

Early Martian surface and subsurface were probably habitable for methanogenic microorganisms with a hydrogen-based metabolism, according to an ecological model coupled with a geochemical simulation. Feedback effects of such a biosphere on the atmosphere might have driven strong global cooling.

Nature
VictorMay 3, 2025
Method for automated high performance closed batch cultivation of gas-utilizing methanogens. #methanogens #anaerobic #fuelcell #microbialfuelcell #energy https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13568-025-01872-y
Method for automated high performance closed batch cultivation of gas-utilizing methanogens - AMB Express

To advance the utilization of microbial cell factories in gas fermentation processes, their physiological and biotechnological characteristics must be understood. Here, we report on the construction and operation of a novel device, the Gas and Pressure Controller (GPC), which is specifically designed for the automated control of the headspace gas pressure of closed cultivation bottles and facilitates automated gassing, sparging, monitoring and regulation of the headspace volume operated in closed batch cultivation mode in real time.As proof of concept, the physiological and biotechnological characteristics of four autotrophic, hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaea were examined to quantify novel physiological limits through the elimination of gas limitation during growth and methane formation. We determined unprecedented high maximum specific methane productivity (qCH4) values for: Methanothermobacter marburgensis of 169.59 ± 12.52 mmol g− 1 h− 1, Methanotorris igneus of 420.21 ± 89.46 mmol g− 1 h− 1, Methanocaldococcus jannaschii of 364.52 ± 25.50 mmol g− 1 h− 1 and Methanocaldococcus villosus of 356.38 ± 20.79 mmol g− 1 h− 1. Obtained qCH4 of M. marburgensis is more than 10-fold higher compared to conventional closed batch cultivation set-ups and as high as the highest reported qCH4 value of M. marburgensis from fed-batch gas fermentation in stirred tank bioreactors. Furthermore, the GPC demonstrated reliable functionality with Methanococcus maripaludis, operating safely and autonomous during long term cultivation. This novel device enables optimal headspace pressure control, providing flexibility in application for various gas-fermenting biotechnological processes. It facilitates near optimal cultivation conditions in semi-continuous closed batch cultivation mode, the analysis of limiting factors in high-throughput experimental design and allows for automated biomass production of autotrophic, hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Graphical abstract

SpringerLink
VictorMay 3, 2025
Method for automated high performance closed batch cultivation of gas-utilizing methanogens. #methanogens #anaerobic #fuelcell #microbialfuelcell #energy https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13568-025-01872-y
Method for automated high performance closed batch cultivation of gas-utilizing methanogens - AMB Express

To advance the utilization of microbial cell factories in gas fermentation processes, their physiological and biotechnological characteristics must be understood. Here, we report on the construction and operation of a novel device, the Gas and Pressure Controller (GPC), which is specifically designed for the automated control of the headspace gas pressure of closed cultivation bottles and facilitates automated gassing, sparging, monitoring and regulation of the headspace volume operated in closed batch cultivation mode in real time.As proof of concept, the physiological and biotechnological characteristics of four autotrophic, hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaea were examined to quantify novel physiological limits through the elimination of gas limitation during growth and methane formation. We determined unprecedented high maximum specific methane productivity (qCH4) values for: Methanothermobacter marburgensis of 169.59 ± 12.52 mmol g− 1 h− 1, Methanotorris igneus of 420.21 ± 89.46 mmol g− 1 h− 1, Methanocaldococcus jannaschii of 364.52 ± 25.50 mmol g− 1 h− 1 and Methanocaldococcus villosus of 356.38 ± 20.79 mmol g− 1 h− 1. Obtained qCH4 of M. marburgensis is more than 10-fold higher compared to conventional closed batch cultivation set-ups and as high as the highest reported qCH4 value of M. marburgensis from fed-batch gas fermentation in stirred tank bioreactors. Furthermore, the GPC demonstrated reliable functionality with Methanococcus maripaludis, operating safely and autonomous during long term cultivation. This novel device enables optimal headspace pressure control, providing flexibility in application for various gas-fermenting biotechnological processes. It facilitates near optimal cultivation conditions in semi-continuous closed batch cultivation mode, the analysis of limiting factors in high-throughput experimental design and allows for automated biomass production of autotrophic, hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Graphical abstract

SpringerLink
CellBioNewsFeb 14, 2025

#Carbonate-dissolving #microorganisms could be key to #sustainable #bioenergy.

#mightymicrobes #methanogens #wetlands #sediment #microbiomes #metagenomics

https://phys.org/news/2025-02-carbonate-dissolving-microorganisms-key-sustainable.html

Carbonate-dissolving microorganisms could be key to sustainable bioenergy

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln research team has identified new microscopic players in the global carbon cycle, a discovery that paints a clearer picture of carbon flow through the environment and provides key information for the sustainable development of bioenergy sources.

Phys.org
John Vaccaro (johniac)Feb 4, 2025

SciTech Chronicles. . . . . . . . .Feb 4th, 2025

https://bit.ly/stc020425

#Graphene #Tattoos #Biosensors #epidermal #Boreal #MODIS #Migration #Tundra #exudates #methanogens #SUSIBA2 #fumarate #ethanol #Fibre-optic #DAS #axis #algorithm #Honeybee #Varroa #timeframe #adherence #treatment

SciTech Chronicles. . . . . . . . .Feb 4th, 2025

  United we bargain, divided we beg. Vol II No 30 355 links Curated *Flexible stick-on patches could monitor blood pressure, stress, and mor...

CellBioNewsFeb 3, 2025

High-yield #rice breed emits up to 70% less #methane

#methanogens #soil #microbiome #fumarate #ethanol #root #exudates

https://phys.org/news/2025-02-high-yield-rice-emits-methane.html

High-yield rice breed emits up to 70% less methane

Rice cultivation is responsible for around 12% of global methane emissions, and these emissions are expected to increase with global warming and as the human population continues to grow.

Phys.org
Mikko TuomiNov 25, 2024

The environmental conditions, energy sources and ecology of terrestrial #methanogens thriving in deep crystalline fractures, sub-sea hypersaline lakes and subglacial water bodies can be considered as analogs of a hypothetical habitable #Martian subsurface.

Mars may have a 4.3-8.8 km-deep regolith habitat at the mid-latitude location of Acidalia Planitia, that might fit the requirements of Martian methanogens.

#Mars #astrobiology
https://astrobiology.com/2024/11/potential-habitability-of-present-day-mars-subsurface-for-terrestrial-like-methanogens.html

Potential Habitability of Present-day Mars Subsurface for Terrestrial-like Methanogens - Astrobiology

presence of methane in the Martian atmosphere

Astrobiology
dougzone 🇨🇦Aug 26, 2024
Energy from mining poo!
#RichmondBC
#Methanogens
 
https://dougzone22.ca/2024/08/26/poo-miners-amongst-us-196/
Poo miners amongst us! (#196)

Richmond, B.C. – Your average, everyday urban dictionary defines “poo miner” as anyone who enters an abondoned house to scrounge for items of value left by the previous owner. Pieces of furni…

CellBioNewsJul 25, 2024

Scientists publish first experimental evidence for new groups of #methane-producing organisms.

#methanogens #Archaea #extremophiles #hot_springs #Thermoproteota #biodiversity

https://phys.org/news/2024-07-scientists-publish-experimental-evidence-groups.html

Scientists publish first experimental evidence for new groups of methane-producing organisms

A team of scientists from Montana State University has provided the first experimental evidence that two new groups of microbes thriving in thermal features in Yellowstone National Park produce methane—a discovery that could one day contribute to the development of methods to mitigate climate change and provide insight into potential life elsewhere in our solar system.

Phys.org
NIOO-KNAWJul 19, 2024
New publication: #Methane-cycling microbial communities from #Amazon floodplains and upland #forests respond differently to simulated #climatechange scenarios. #wetlands #globalwarming #methanogens #methanotrophs
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40793-024-00596-z
Methane-cycling microbial communities from Amazon floodplains and upland forests respond differently to simulated climate change scenarios - Environmental Microbiome

Seasonal floodplains in the Amazon basin are important sources of methane (CH4), while upland forests are known for their sink capacity. Climate change effects, including shifts in rainfall patterns and rising temperatures, may alter the functionality of soil microbial communities, leading to uncertain changes in CH4 cycling dynamics. To investigate the microbial feedback under climate change scenarios, we performed a microcosm experiment using soils from two floodplains (i.e., Amazonas and Tapajós rivers) and one upland forest. We employed a two-factorial experimental design comprising flooding (with non-flooded control) and temperature (at 27 °C and 30 °C, representing a 3 °C increase) as variables. We assessed prokaryotic community dynamics over 30 days using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and qPCR. These data were integrated with chemical properties, CH4 fluxes, and isotopic values and signatures. In the floodplains, temperature changes did not significantly affect the overall microbial composition and CH4 fluxes. CH4 emissions and uptake in response to flooding and non-flooding conditions, respectively, were observed in the floodplain soils. By contrast, in the upland forest, the higher temperature caused a sink-to-source shift under flooding conditions and reduced CH4 sink capability under dry conditions. The upland soil microbial communities also changed in response to increased temperature, with a higher percentage of specialist microbes observed. Floodplains showed higher total and relative abundances of methanogenic and methanotrophic microbes compared to forest soils. Isotopic data from some flooded samples from the Amazonas river floodplain indicated CH4 oxidation metabolism. This floodplain also showed a high relative abundance of aerobic and anaerobic CH4 oxidizing Bacteria and Archaea. Taken together, our data indicate that CH4 cycle dynamics and microbial communities in Amazonian floodplain and upland forest soils may respond differently to climate change effects. We also highlight the potential role of CH4 oxidation pathways in mitigating CH4 emissions in Amazonian floodplains.

BioMed Central