Aerobic Methane Synthesis Bacteria

Dear Colleagues,

Aerobic methane synthesis bacteria are microorganisms that have the ability to produce methane in the presence of oxygen. Studies of bacteria from a wide spectrum of genera and species have revealed that multiple enzymes have the ability to produce methane in aerobic conditions. Particularly, this process is typically associated with specific groups of bacteria called methanotrophs. Methanotrophic bacteria have garnered significant research interest due to their potential applications in fields such as biogas production, wastewater treatment, and environmental sustainability.

Potential topics that will be covered in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Aerobic methane synthesis bacteria: Bacteria can produce methane in aerobic conditions, not only in the aquatic environment, but also in other environments.
• Novel enzymes or molecular mechanisms of aerobic methane synthesis: Three main mechanisms have been published so far for aerobic methane synthesis: C-P lyase, pyridoxylamine phosphate-dependent aspartate aminotransferase, and enhanced CH₄ formation in response to oxidative stress.
• Methanotrophs: Some well-known examples include Methylococcus, Methylosinus, Methylobacter, and Methylomonas.
• Methane Production: Aerobic methane synthesis is a unique trait of methanotrophic bacteria. These organisms utilize methane monooxygenase enzymes to convert methane and oxygen into methanol.
• Biotechnological Applications: Methanotrophs can be used to enhance methane yields from organic waste materials. Additionally, these bacteria can play a role in wastewater treatment by removing methane emissions and converting them into usable energy.
• Environmental Impact: Studying aerobic methanogenesis bacteria is crucial for understanding the global methane cycle and its impact on climate change.
• Genomic Analysis: Genomic information helps in identifying the key enzymes involved in methane synthesis and in optimizing their performance for various applications.
• Microbial Ecology: Understanding the ecological factors that influence the distribution and activity of methanotrophic bacteria is necessary to better comprehend their role in specific environments.

Dr. Qian Wang
Guest Editor

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• methanotrophs
• aerobic methane synthesis
• enzymes and molecular mechanisms
• biotechnological applications