Why Sequence Thermophilic Methanoarchaea?
Microbes that reduce carbon dioxide to methane catalyze a significant component of the carbon cycle on Earth and are responsible for most of the methane in the atmospere. Since methane contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect, understanding the biological controls on emissions of methane may provide the opportunity to compensate for the emission of other important trace gases, such as CO2. In addition, methane is a common fuel, and the biological production of methane catalyzed by these bacteria has great potential as an alternative fuel source. This application is of special significance because it is “CO2 neutral”, ie., it does not result in the net emissions of greenhouse gases to the earth’s atmosphere. Methanogenesis also has great potential in waste treatment, especially of dilute waste waters typical of many sewage and chemical wastes. Moreover, methanogens have a robust hydrogen metabolism and are a potential source of catalysts for hydrogen production and consumption
