Optimizing Methane Bioconversion: Harnessing Methylomicrobium album BG8 for Sustainable Biotechnological Applications

#application # #Resilient #Clean #Energy #Systems

As the specter of climate change looms large, methane—a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat 80 times more efficiently than carbon dioxide—poses a significant challenge. Yet within this environmental dilemma, Methylomicrobium album BG8 (MABG8), a promising bacterium known for its methane consumption, emerges as a dual-purpose solution, mitigating methane’s impact while transforming it into valuable bioproducts. Our project harnesses the potential of MABG8 to convert this environmental threat into an industrial reality and a sustainable asset for our future. However, effectively harnessing methane presents challenges due to the low metabolic activity of methanotrophs and the high energy demands of methane bioconversion. To overcome these barriers, we delve into the inner workings of these microorganisms through the synergy of metabolic engineering and bioinformatics. Genome-scale metabolic modeling provides a comprehensive view of MABG8's metabolism, allowing for precise manipulation of its internal processes. By leveraging advanced techniques such as Flux Balance Analysis and multiomics integration, we aim to engineer the microorganism’s behavior toward more efficient methane conversion while exploring symbiotic co-cultures with photosynthetic and methylotrophic organisms. This approach offers a groundbreaking and economically feasible strategy for methane biocatalysis, paving the way for innovative solutions in methane fixation.